November 30, 2004

Malta's Meat Production Down Due to Less Livestock Slaughtering

The total number of livestock slaughtered in Malta decreased between July and September 2004, thus bringing down the volume of meat production.

Statistics issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that the total meat production in the period of review amounted to 3,381 tons; falling 836 tons as compared with the same period last year. Pig meat and broiler meat production declined by 12.0% and 33.7% respectively whereas beef production remained stable.

During the September period, pig slaughtering dropped from 28,124 heads in 2003 to 24,997 heads this year. The total number of broilers slaughtered during the same period fell from 1,127,803 heads to 757,323 heads.

This resulted in a drop in the total producer value which dropped by Lm 0.51 million to Lm 2.34 million.

The producer value of bovine production rose to Lm 0.34 million from Lm 0.33 million. Swine industry also registered a decline of 12.0%, from Lm 1,493,652 registered during the period of 2003 to Lm 1,315,044 in 2004. Broilers slaughtering declined by Lm 350,044 to Lm 679,929.

During the first 9 months of this year, the total number of cattle, pigs and broilers slaughtered, declined by 10.6%, 14.4% and 12% respectively. This brought down the volume of meat production from 13,914 tons to 12,125 tons.

The report showed that during July and September 2004, the number of broilers slaughtered in the Gozitan slaughterhouse also dropped from 305,210 heads to 151,941 heads. This meant a drop of 411 tons in carcass weight, which fell from 656 tons to 245 tons. Consequently, the producer value also declined from Lm 445,167 to Lm 155,716.