March 7, 2013
Malta sees 3% decline in meat output during fourth quarter
Malta's meat output has declined by 3% in the fourth quarter but was met with rising producer value, according to the country's National Statistics Office.
Meat production fell to 3,093 tonnes over the period.
Pork output, which has dropped by 12%, leads the decline despite 22.3% increase in beef production and 6% increase in chicken meat.
The noted beef increase was due to a 17.4% rise in slaughtering. Pig slaughtering fell by 2,837 head although carcasses were 0.9% heavier.
Broiler meat production went up 6% as a result of carcass rates increasing 6.3%, which mitigated slight slaughter number drops.
The value of livestock has increased by 9.1% on the fourth quarter in 2011.
