UK beef production increased compared to 2021

During December, the UK produced 74,800 tonnes of beef and veal. This is 9,300 tonnes (11.1%) back on November, but 5,100 tonnes (7.3%) up on the same month last year. This brings total production for the year to an estimated 906,400 tonnes, a 1.9% (17,000 tonnes) uplift on 2021 production levels and roughly in line with the 5-year average (-0.2%). Prime cattle slaughter totalled an estimated 161,700 head, back 16,300 head (9.2%) on November. This brings total throughputs to 1.99 million head for the year, a 1.5% increase on 2021 throughputs. Carcase weights for December averaged 342.1kg, up 0.6% (2.1kg) on November, the first increase in 6 months. They were however 3.1kg (0.9%) below the 12-month average for December of 345.6kg. Year on year, the annual average carcase weight for 2022 eased by 0.3% to 345.2kg, which brings it to just under (0.4kg) the 5-year average. Cow slaughter stood at 60,800 head, back 18.0% (13,300 head) on November. Whilst significantly lower than the ...