Classification of Pig Carcasses in Romania between 2007-2008

The classification of pig carcasses aims at a correct payment for big breeders, depending on carcass weight and quality, and standardization, the common language of the international meat trade. The European Union set uniform procedures of quality assessment (the EUROP system), defined by the same parameters in the entire continent. The pig livestock whose carcasses were classified in 2008 was almost 2.5 million, compared to the value below 2 million carcasses classified in 2007. Of the total livestock, in 2008, about 98% could be classified in the superior quality classes E and U. In the previous year, only 94% of the classified carcasses could be introduced into these superior quality classes. The increase of 4%, related to the number of 2.5 millions corresponding to 2008, represent more than 97.000 pigs whose carcasses belong to the superior classes, compared with the previous year.