EU: Decrease in production of all types of meat in 2022

According to preliminary data from the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), the total production of beef, pigs, poultry and sheep decreased by 1.7 million tonnes compared to 2021, i.e. by 4.0%. to 41.25 million tons. Even if domestic slaughter and meat production in small slaughterhouses are not included, there is a clear decrease in production, which affected all types of meat. High feed costs, economic losses for producers and reduced livestock numbers have resulted in a reduction in the number of animals for slaughter in most EU Member States. Less pork than in 2014 This was particularly evident in pigs. According to Eurostat, 12.7 million fewer pigs were slaughtered in reporting slaughterhouses in 2022. The largest decreases were recorded in Germany, Belgium and Romania. Total EU pork production fell by more than 1.3 million tonnes, or 5.7%, to 22.1 million tonnes, the lowest level since 2014. Only in very small countries, such as Latvia, Greece and Luxembourg, ...