The breeding population of female pigs in the UK fell 14% on the year during 2022, according to Defra's June Agricultural Census.

This means the total number of UK breeding females is at a 20-year low, using estimated figures for Northern Ireland and Scotland.

That's because this year Scotland will not be publishing any census figures, according to the Scottish Government, with estimates based on the Single Application Form. Northern Ireland has delayed publishing its figures until this month.

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The estimates are that overall pig numbers dropped 2.5% to 5.2m pigs in the UK, which was driven by sharp declines in breeding pig numbers which dropped to 343,000 in the year to June. By contrast, the number of fattening pigs decreased only by 1.1% to just under 4.8m, according to the survey.

Andy McGowan, managing director at Scottish Pig Producers, said: “This simply confirms what we have been saying for months that numerous family farms have sadly exited the pig sector and the decline in Scotland is no different.

"Supply chains may currently be lulled into a false sense of security by the relatively small decline in finished pig numbers but those pigs were bred from breeding sows that have already been culled so there are no more coming behind.

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"The empty promises of support for British pig farmers from certain retailers are thrown into doubt by the AHDB Porkwatch survey, which is showing a decline in British pigmeat facings over the last quarter.

"Pigmeat remains the most affordable, nutritious and widely eaten protein in Scotland but some retailers need to recognise that farmers are not charities -unless they receive a fair price for their pigs, the supply will drop even further," he argued.