Swine population almost 66,000

There were 65,918 pigs on the Maltese islands at the end of last year, an increase of 0.6 per cent, or 407, over 2008.

The National Statistics Office said that although the piglet stock dropped by 8.1 per cent, young and fattening pig stocks rose by 10.3 and one per cent respectively.

The breeding stock, consisting mainly of breeding sows, declined by 1.9 per cent.

A total of 139 holdings were engaged in pig production, with 61.9 per cent having fewer than 400 pigs. Holdings with fewer than 400 pigs accounted for 13,869 pigs, or 21 per cent of the pig population. Holdings with more than 400 pigs amounted to 38.1 per cent, holding 52,049 pigs collectively and making up 79 per cent of the population.

Overall, pig stocks increased by 1.1 per cent in Malta and dropped by six per cent in Gozo and Comino.

Maltese farms held 61,851 pigs, while those in Gozo and Comino held 4,067 pigs.