July 2, 2007

Scotland posts gains in 2006 agriculture led by cattle, pig production
 

Scotland's agricultural output increased by eight percent during 2006 with cattle, sheep, and pig production contributing 683 million British pounds (US$1.37 billion) , excluding support payments, according to the annual Red Meat Industry Profile published by Quality Meat Scotland.

This value also increased by 5.5 percent, accounting for 37 percent of the total agricultural output.

Cattle production is steady at 27 percent of Scottish agricultural output, while in the United Kingdom (UK) cattle production dropped to 14.2 percent of total output. Cattle production in the European Union has increased by 0.1 per cent to 9.5 percent of the EU agricultural output.

Swine production remained at four percent of the total agricultural production while UK pig meat production fell 2.6 percent. Beef processors posted three percent more beef during 2006 and their turnover was up by more than per cent at 500 million GBP.