England's pig population has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade - driven by more than two years of crippling financial losses for farmers.

Pigs are a vital part of East Anglia's agricultural economy, with an estimated 20pc of the national herd kept in Norfolk and Suffolk.

But Defra's latest figures show England's pig numbers fell by 12pc to 3.6 million in 2023 - around 477,000 lower than last year, and the lowest number since 2011.

It follows a prolonged economic crisis in the industry.

Struggling pig farms finally returned to profit last month after 10 successive quarters of losses, caused by falling pig prices and record high costs - particularly for fuel and animal feed, whose value soared after the war in Ukraine drove up grain prices.

Freya Shuttleworth, senior livestock analyst for the AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board), said the population decline, driven by a 13pc fall in the number of fattening pigs, is "unlikely to come as much of a surprise to those in the industry who are only just beginning to recover after 10 consecutive quarters of loss making".

But she said there were some positive signs within the breeding pig numbers, which remained stable at 329,000 animals in 2023.

"These breeding pig numbers, particularly the increase of gilts in pig and the number of gilts intended for first time breeding, show signs of a more positive industry sentiment and some cautious growth from producers," she said.

"Although we do not expect to see the industry bouncing back to the heights of 2021 in terms of pig numbers, throughputs and production, if demand remains steady and producer net margins continue on a positive track then we anticipate some welcome growth."

Defra's report also shows the total number of cattle and calves in England decreased by 0.5pc to just under 5.1m in June 2023, while sheep and lamb numbers decreased by 3.2pc to 14.5m. 

In another key East Anglian sector, the number of poultry in England has decreased by 6pc to 131 million in 2023, with turkey numbers falling by around a third to 2.4m.

Defra said the impact of avian influenza outbreaks and the higher input costs faced by commercial poultry sectors "have likely led to these reductions in 2023".