May 10, 2004

EU Cattle Production Estimate Down in 2004
 

Eurostat, a division of the European Commission, recently issued its publication "Survey of the EU Pig Population in December 2003 and Production Forecasts for 2004". According to the report, the pig herd in the EU totaled 121.5 million head in December 2003, which was slightly lower than the previous year. During 2003, pig production equaled 204.7 million head, up 1.2 percent from 2002. The Member States forecast 2004 pig production at 202.5 million head.

Furthermore, Eurostat released the report "Survey of EU Cattle Populations in December 2003 and Production Forecasts for 2004". According to the report, the December 2003 cattle livestock survey in the EU showed that the cattle inventory fell 1.4 percent from the previous year, amounting to 77.4 million head. Cattle production during 2004 is estimated at 26.1 million head, 1.2 percent less than 2003.

Eurostat also published its report "December 2003 Survey of EU Sheep and Goat Populations and Production Forecasts for 2004". The sheep inventory in the EU in December 2003 totaled 86.3 million head, which was down 1.6 percent from 2002. This marked the sixth consecutive year of a declining sheep herd. The Member States estimate 2004 sheep production at 62.5 million head, down 1.2 percent from 2003. The 2003 goat herd in the EU totaled 11.6 million head, 2.0 percent less than 2002. Goat production during 2004 is predicted to change slightly with 7.7 million head.