December 9, 2004

Beef Production Rises in Hawaii, Pork Declines

Hawaii's cattle exports to the mainland rose sharply in October after months of low volume of shipments. Total Hawaii cattle marketings were up 28 percent from the same month last year, to 6,400 head. Pork production in Hawaii declined.

"All of the increase in marketings was the result of more out-of-state shipments as local commercial slaughter was unchanged," according to Mark Hudson, director of the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service. "Exports increased 34 percent from a year ago to 5,500 head."

Even with the October increase, cumulative marketings for the first 10 months of 2004 was 34,600 head, 18 percent below year-ago levels. Year-to-date exports for 2004 were 25,800 head, falling 22 percent.

Commercial beef production -- local slaughter -- during October totaled 502,000 pounds, compared with 516,000 pounds a year earlier. Commercial kill, at 900 head, was unchanged. Average live weight per head, accounting for 1,034 pounds, was 4 pounds heavier. Year-to-date beef production for local consumption in Hawaii came to 99 percent of year-before levels.

National beef production in October, at 2.11 billion pounds, was 4 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.75 million head, falling 9 percent. Average live weight was up 36 pounds, 1,267 pounds.

Pork production

Hawaii commercial pork production recorded 347,000 pounds in October, down from 372,000 pounds a year ago.

Total hog kill of 2,200 head was 8 percent below a year ago. Average live weight per head, at 208 pounds, was 1 percent above a year ago.

Cumulative pork production for the first 10 months of 2004 was 8 percent below the same period in 2003.

National pork production totaled 1.78 billion pounds, declining 7 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.97 million head, 7 percent below October 2003. Average live weight was unchanged, at 267 pounds.