August 15, 2023

 

Germany's meat production dropped by 5.9% in H1, 2023

 

 

Meat production in Germany has declined by 5.9% in the first half of 2023, compared to last year, according to the German Federal Statistical Office.

 

Commercial slaughterhouses in the country produced 3.3 million tonnes of meat, preliminary figures published on August 9 show.

 

In total, 23.6 million pigs, cattle, sheep, goats and horses, as well as 343.9 million chickens, turkeys and ducks were slaughtered in Germany in the first half of 2023.

 

German pork production continues to decline. In the first six months of 2023, 21.6 million pigs were slaughtered, which represents a decline of 9.2% or 2.2 million pigs.

 

At 2.1 million tonnes, pork production was 9.4% or 213,000 tonnes lower than during the first half of 2022. This is in line with a declining pig population in the country.

 

Despite significant declines since 2017, pork production continues to account for the largest share of total meat production, the German Federal Statistical Office said.

 

Pork accounted for 62% of total meat production, followed by poultry (23.3%), and beef (14.5%).

 

German beef production increased slightly by 0.9% or 4,500 tonnes to a total of 481,500 tonnes in the first half of 2023. Cattle slaughterings were down by 1,300 head to 1.4 million.

 

Poultry slaughterings in Germany fell by 2.7% to a total of 343.9 million head compared to the same period last year. Production therefore dropped by 0.1% to 770,900 tonnes.

- Agriland