Pig population down a third

The number of pigs in Malta has fallen by a third, according to a national yearly census.

The pig population dropped by 34.4 per cent (or 24,296 pigs) in 2011, when compared to the previous year, according to data issued by the National Statistics Office.

According to the census, it was a 26.9 per cent decline in breeding stockthat ultimately contributed to a 36.4 per cent drop in fattening pigs. Out of the 116 holdings engaged in pig production, 72.4 per cent had fewer than 400 pigs and accounted for 31.8 per cent of total stock, or 14,730 heads.