August 12, 2009
UK red meat supply shrinks in H1
Red meat supplies in the UK have declined across all categories in the first half of 2009, supporting prices, according to latest production figures from DEFRA.
Red meat and offal production dropped 3.3 percent to 984,000 tonnes during January to June. The largest fall was registered in mutton and lamb production, which was nearly 10-percent lower than year-ago figures.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) explained it was due to a combination of slightly lower carcass weights and reduced slaughter year-on-year.
Beef and pork imports also fell 12 percent in the first five months of 2009, partly due to the weakness of sterling over the period. The lack of imports worsened the supply shortage, contributing to stronger prices.
UK pig prices rose to their highest level in July at about 155p/kg, exceeding the previous record set in July 1996 in the weeks following the BSE crisis.
The high prices have led to higher imports from the Netherlands, with the pork then cured for bacon. Danish imports, however, have dropped 33 percent as a result of last year's decline in sow numbers and increased exports of live weaners.
