Low-cost pork production : in what conditions ? Situation in France, international comparisons, perspectives

This study shows that the lowest farm production costs in 2000 were 1.09 EUR/kg carcass. Five profiles were identified. Profile 1: moderate costs at all stages through good technical performance. Profile 2: very low prices of weaning sale feed, often produced on the farm. Profile 3: lowest labour costs owing to good productivity and to farming out. Profile 4: lowest depreciation and financial costs owing to old plant and buildings. Profile 5: Best technical results. The USA and Spain are still highly competitive because of less costly production factors and lighter societal constraints, despite poorer technical results. The EU accession of central European countries is not yet a source of serious competition owing to strong inertia.Technical advancement, lowered prices of production factors and optimisation of farming systems are avenues to be explored.