UK Pork Production Faces Margin Pressures Amid Rising Costs and Shifting Consumer Demand

The UK pork industry is navigating a complex and pressured environment in 2025, with escalating input costs, volatile consumer demand, and productivity challenges testing the resilience of producers.

A comprehensive report from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) outlines the latest figures on pork production costs and herd performance, offering key insights for global industry stakeholders.
🔗 Read the full AHDB report here


Rising Production Costs and Margin Pressures

In recent years, producers across Great Britain have faced significant economic pressure. AHDB estimates that as of August 2022, the full economic cost of pig production stood at 223p/kg deadweight. Though feed prices saw a mild decline in 2023, overall production margins remain tight due to persistent labor constraints and high energy costs.

Several recent quarters have seen negative net margins, signaling financial strain and prompting many farms to reassess operational efficiency and capital expenditures.


Herd Performance Benchmarks

The report includes valuable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to benchmark productivity. AHDB tracks performance across both indoor and outdoor breeding herds:

  • Indoor breeding herds:

    • Average pigs weaned per sow per year: 27.82

    • Top 10% of producers: 33.45

  • Outdoor breeding herds:

    • Average pigs weaned per sow per year: 24.29

    • Top 10% of producers: 28.18

These performance figures highlight opportunities for herd-level improvements by focusing on sow productivity and piglet survivability.


Breeding Herd Trends and Forecasts

The UK’s female breeding herd has steadily contracted, dropping from 413,000 in 2019 to 327,000 head as of June 2024. A modest rebound is expected, with projections of a 1% increase by mid-2025. However, long-term growth remains constrained by profitability concerns, regulatory burdens, and ongoing uncertainty in global trade.


Changing Consumer Preferences

Retail pork demand in the UK declined by 2.4% in 2024, largely influenced by inflation and health-conscious dietary trends. However, the foodservice channel experienced a 5.5% rise, reflecting a shift in where consumers are engaging with pork products.

Convenience-oriented cuts such as sausages, mince, and burgers are gaining ground, while premium roasting joints and specialty cuts are seeing less traction — a trend with implications for both pricing and carcass utilization.


Strategic Takeaways for Producers

As cost pressures persist, UK pork producers are being urged to adopt data-driven decision-making. AHDB’s cost calculators and benchmarking tools are crucial for identifying areas to improve margins. Producers are advised to:

  • Optimize feed conversion and herd health

  • Match production with market demand

  • Explore energy-saving and labor-efficiency investments

By leveraging performance metrics and industry intelligence, farms can stay competitive despite economic headwinds.


For full access to AHDB’s Pork Costings and Herd Performance data, visit:
👉 https://ahdb.org.uk/pork-costings-and-herd-performance