March 8, 2013

EU revises downward its 2012 cattle slaughter

EU revised downward its 2012 cattle slaughter to 400,000 head from the forecast in the Annual Report.

The lower slaughter is mainly a result of the scarcity of animals, which effect has been underestimated in the Annual Report. In line with the revised slaughter numbers, beef production is expected to have been lower in 2012 than previously forecast.

In 2013, EU beef supply is expected to remain tight, which could further attract imports from primarily Brazil and the US.

On February 25, 2013, the EC approved lactic acid as a pathogen reduction treatment (PRT) for beef. This measure will facilitate US beef exports under the High Quality Beef (HQB) quota. In August 2012, the HQB quota increased from 20,000 tonnes to 48,200 tonnes.