AUSTRALIAN pig meat production will increase slightly over the next five years in response to better prices and more palatable feed grain costs.
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But that's just as well, with a forecast rise in imports over the same period.
According to the ABARE commodities report, domestic pig production is forecast to remain largely unchanged at 329,000 tonnes in 2010-2011.
That figure will increase to 338,000 tonnes by 2014-15.
ABARE says feed costs account for about 55 per cent of total production costs and the pig to feed grain ratio is not expected to change in the foreseeable future.
Imports will rise by about four per cent this year to 148,000 tonnes thanks to the high value of the Australian dollar, and imports are expected to hit 151,000 tonnes by 2014-14.
Australian pig meat exports will remain stable at around 27,500 tonnes.
