UK meat production down 2 percent on-year in 2008

Total meat output in the UK during 2008 fell 2 percent on-year to 3.4 million tonnes cwt.

Beef and veal production declined 2.2 percent to 860,000 tonnes cwt. The lower beef production for the year was mainly due to a 6-percent decrease in grown steer slaughter, despite a 25-percent increase in cow slaughter.

Bacon dipped 7.6 percent to 180,000 tonnes cwt, accounting for the largest production fall. Poultry production decreased 3 percent to 1.4 million tonnes, while pork output grew 1 percent to 600,000 tonnes.