A DETAILED study of the British pig industry’s competitive position shows the cost of production in higher than elsewhere in Europe.

The InterPIG report for 2010, published by industry body BPEX, shows the cost of pig meat production in Great Britain rose by nine per cent and was above the European average, partly due to large increases in feed costs.

The UK cash cost of production, excluding finance costs, was 125.5p per kg, 10p higher than the previous year and 9p per kg above the European average.

Despite the relatively higher cost, there were some improvements in physical performance.

But the latest industry performance figures, based on Agrosoft data, indicate that in the year to June 2011, physical performance has significantly improved over the 2010 data in the report.

Senior analyst Mark Topliff, of AHDB Market Intelligence, which collated the report, said: “It is not all doom and gloom as there are some positive points to take out of the report.

“It shows mortality to finishing has improved while the number of litters per sow per year has also increased.

“This latest report covers most of Europe and some competitors or potential competitors further afield. It all relates to the overall performance of the national herd in 2010 and highlights just how important it is for the industry to achieve two tonnes of pig meat per sow per year.

“The 2TS campaign was launched in May 2010 with the objective of closing the gap in competitiveness that this report highlights.”