Ukraine to increase pig population in 2013
In 2013 the number of pigs at farms in Ukraine is projected to rise slightly by 2.2%. However, there has been stable growth in the industry already over the last years – meaning that local farmers are beginning to realise the high production and export potential of this sector, Mykola Prysiazhniuk, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food stated.
According to official stats by the State Static Service of Ukraine (Gosstat) at the beginning of 2013 there are in total about 7.52 million pigs, which is by 142.6 thousand more than in 2012. Last year the growth of the industry was largely due to the development of commercial farms, but this year the government is also intending to stimulate pig farming development in private households.
“Domestic pig farming is an industry with high production and export potential. So currently, increasing the number of pigs is an important issue. Last year, we managed to do that. And this year, we expect that the number of pigs in all categories of farms will also rise to 7.68 million heads,” said Mykola Prysiazhniuk.
“In particular, it is projected that the number of pigs at commercial farms will rise 2.4% to 3.63 million. In private households by the end of this year this figure should amount to 4.05 million pigs, up 2% on year-to-year volume, ” added the Ministry of Agriculture.
