A census showed that in December 2013, the pig population amounted to 49,451 heads, up by 9.4 per cent, or 4,242 heads when compared to 2012.

The census also showed that in Gozo and Comino, the pig population amounted to 4,208 heads, or 8.5 per cent of the total stock, which was an increase of 21.6 per cent.

In Malta and Gozo there was a drop of 1.5 per cent was registered in young pigs while increases of 12.0, 19.0 and 0.1 per cent were registered in piglets, fattening and breeding stock respectively.

The census revealed that 105 holdings (-5.4 per cent) were engaged in pig production. Of these, 60.0 per cent raised less than 400 pigs but accounted for 20.3 per cent of the total stock, or 10,032 heads. Holdings that raised at least 400 pigs accounted for 39,419 heads, or 79.7 per cent of the total population.

On a regional level, the pig population increased by 8.4 per cent in Malta. Overall, 45,243 pigs, or 91.5 per cent, were located in Maltese farms, with the Western District accounting for 42.3 per cent.

These figures were supplied by the National Statistics Office.

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