April 19, 2022

Increased UK beef production in March 2022 thanks to higher cattle slaughter

Data from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs showed the country's beef production in March 2022 reached 79,500 tonnes, 9% higher compared to February 2021 and 1% more year-on-year, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported.

Between January to March 2022, UK beef production reached 223,400 tonnes, 2% lower compared to same period last year.

174,700 UK prime cattle were processed in March, an increase of 10% compared to February, but 1% lower than in March 2021. The UK prime cattle slaughter in the first quarter of 2022 was 485,400 head, down 4% from the same period a year earlier.

Average finished cattle carcase weights remained heavier compared to the year prior, potentially with finishers wanting to make the most of record cattle prices. Average finished cattle carcase weights remained somewhat higher than a year earlier, possibly due to finishers looking to take advantage of record cow prices.

The total cattle in the UK is 10% higher compared to 2021 at 57,500 head, but only 2% up compared to 2021. Record cattle slaughter prices would have pushed more livestock to be slaughtered, as well as soaring input costs for farmers.

March 2022 slaughter numbers outweighed lower kill in January and February this year, with the total slaughter at 161,100 head for the first quarter of 2022 or 2% up year-on-year. This was 3% lower compared to the same period in 2020.

-      UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board