UK: Higher sheep throughputs drive year-on-year production rises in January

Last Thursday Defra released their latest figures for UK sheep meat production, with production totalling 21,400 tonnes in January. This was a 19.7% decline (-5,200 tonnes) from December figures. Production typically falls when moving into the new year, as supply and demand ease after the festive period. Year-on-year, production was up slightly by 0.5% (100 tonnes). Clean sheep carcase weights averaged 20.1kg in January, also following seasonal movements, increasing by 3.1% (0.6kg) on December’s average. However, compared to January 2022, average carcase weights were down 2.8% (-0.6kg). This follows the trend seen in the second half of last year. Adult sheep carcase weights also followed this trend, at 23.9kg, up 0.8% (0.2kg) on December’s figure but down 10.0% (-2.6kg) on the same month last year. The year-on-year decline may be explained by several factors. Increased input costs and dry conditions last year hampered winter forage production and cover crop establishment, while ...