August 4, 2006

EU red meat production falling

According to a European Commission report on agricultural markets, red meat production in the EU is forecast to decline over the long term.

Beef production in the EU is expected to decline 5 percent by 2013, to 7.5 million tonnes, despite a 1 percent increase during 2006, to 7.9 million tonnes.

The 1 percent increased production is mainly due to the re-entry of 'over thirty months' beef in the UK and easing of intra-EU trading rules on British beef and cattle.

The EU's beef exports are expected to fall 28 percent during 2006 (to 157,000 tonnes) and 78 percent by 2013 (to 48,000 tonnes).