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Uplift in throughput continues to drive sheep meat production
Wednesday, 21 December 2022
According to latest Defra figures, UK sheep meat production in November totalled 24,400 tonnes, up marginally (+0.4%) versus October production figures. However, compared with last November, production is back 3.9% (1,000 tonnes). Carcase weights averaged 19.7kg for the month, back 200g on October, and 300g down on November last year.
Clean sheep slaughter totalled 1.1 million head, up 2.2% (23,800 head) on October, however back 33,200 head (2.9%) on last year. In the year to date (Jan-Nov), 10.9 million clean sheep have been slaughtered, 2.6% (278,000 head) up on the same period last year.
Ewe and ram slaughter saw an 8% increase on November last year, with an additional 7,100 head processed during the month. November is historically a quieter month than October for ewe and ram slaughter, decreasing this year by 11.4% (12,300 head).
Year to date (Jan-Nov), sheep meat production has totalled an estimated 249,800 tonnes, up an additional 8,200 tonnes (3.4%) on the same period last year. Carcase weights for sheep and lambs have averaged 20.2kg in the year to date, just 100g (0.7%) up on last year. This was due primarily to heavier lambs earlier in the year, as weights have fallen on average for new season lambs coming to slaughter from August onwards, according to Defra figures. Adult carcase weights have eased on last year, back 2.3% (600g) in the year to date. Throughputs therefore continue to be the main driver for the uplift in overall production.
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