April 26, 2012

UK's red meat and offal production, from January to March 2012, amounted to 525,000 tonnes, 4% lower compared to the first quarter of 2011.

Beef and veal production in the first three months of 2012 decreased by over 8% on year earlier levels. This decline was a result of lower prime cattle slaughtering and a considerable decline in cull cow throughputs, according to AHDB's UK Market Survey.

Prime cattle slaughtering were also lower by 9%. Steer throughputs were 6% lower on the year, while heifer throughputs were down 8%.

Due to reduced throughputs of lambs and adult sheep, mutton and lamb production in the first quarter of 2012 declined 2%. Ewe and ram throughputs were 11% lower on the year with lamb throughputs down 3%.

Pig meat production in the first quarter of 2012 was 2% higher than during the same period in 2011. Clean pig throughputs were up 2% on the year while sow slaughtering were 5% higher than AHDB estimates for the corresponding period last year. Clean pig carcase weights in the period were lower year on year, as producers finished slaughter pigs to lower weights in an attempt to offset high feed costs.