Bad year for Dutch pig farmers

Figures released from the Dutch Agricultural Economics Institute (LEI) report that no farm category made a profit in 2007. The pig sector in particular experienced a slump with higher producer prices still unable to cover costs.

The average income from farming of Dutch agricultural and horticultural businesses last year came to around €51 000 per concern, a decline of €1 000 or 2% compared with 2006. The gap between production income and costs widened slightly overall, to €87 per €100 costs.

Disastrous year

Low producer prices and sharply rising costs made it a disastrous year for the pig sector, with farm income falling 162% from break-even point at €79 600 to minus €49 000. Piglet prices fell by 25% and breeding pig farms saw their income slump by 193%, converting a €3/100 profit into a €30/100 deficit.

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