The pig population increased by 9.4 per cent last year, compared to the previous year, the National Statistics Office said.

In December, the pig population amounted to 49,451 heads, 4,242 heads more than in 2012. A drop of 1.5 per cent was registered in young pigs while increases of 12, 19 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 per cent raised less than 400 pigs but accounted for 20.3 per cent of 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 and by 21.6 per cent in Gozo and Comino.

Overall, 45,243 pigs, or 91.5 per cent, were located in Maltese farms, with the western district accounting for 42.3 per cent.

In Gozo and Comino, the pig population amounted to 4,208 heads, or 8.5 per cent of the total stock.