Search our website enhanced by Google.
- Home
- Markets and prices
- Lamb markets - Supply and demand - Industry structure - England abattoir numbers
-
Beef markets
- Beef markets home
- Market analysis
-
Prices
- Auction market prices
- Deadweight prices
- Global cattle prices
- Supermarket red meat prices
- Farm costs
- Exchange rates
- Supply and demand
- Imports and exports
- Cost of production and performance
-
Lamb markets
- Lamb markets home
- Market analysis
-
Prices
- Auction market prices
- Deadweight prices
- Global sheep prices
- Supermarket red meat prices
- Farm costs
- Exchange rates
- Supply and demand
- Imports and exports
- Cost of production and performance
-
Pork markets
- Pork markets home
- Market analysis
-
Prices
- Deadweight pig prices
- Weaner prices
- Supermarket red meat prices
- Farm costs
- Exchange rates
-
Supply and demand
- Industry structure
- Slaughter and production
- Carcase information
- Consumption
- Imports and exports
- Cost of production and performance
-
Dairy markets
- Dairy markets home
- Market analysis
-
Prices
- Milk price calculator
- Farmgate milk prices
- Wholesale prices
- Retail prices
- Farm costs
- Exchange rates
-
Supply and demand
- Industry structure
- Dairy production
- Composition and hygiene
- Consumption
- Imports and exports
-
Cereals and oilseeds markets
- Cereals and oilseeds markets home
- Market analysis
- Prices
- Supply and demand
- Imports and exports
- Carbon markets
- Retail and consumer insight
- Agri-market outlook
- Farm standards review
England abattoir numbers – cattle and sheep
4 June 2025
This data shows the number and size of English red meat abattoirs operating each year.
Latest update
Red meat abattoirs in England
| Type of abattoir | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All abattoirs | 151 | 147 | 143 |
| Killing cattle | 124 | 121 | 118 |
| Killing sheep | 121 | 116 | 115 |
| Killing pigs | 86 | 84 | 81 |
Cattle abattoirs by size in England, 2024
| Size band (head) | Number of abattoirs | Total throughput (head) | Share of throughput (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-1,000 | 50 | 13,820 | 0.8% |
| 1,001-5,000 | 32 | 76,293 | 4.7% |
| 5,001-10,000 | 7 | 50,706 | 3.1% |
| 10,001-20,000 | 3 | 48,035 | 2.9% |
| 20,001-30,000 | 4 | 99,047 | 6.1% |
| 30,001-50,000 | 9 | 344,025 | 21.0% |
| >50,000 | 13 | 1,003,063 | 61.3% |
| Total | 118 | 1,634,989 | 100.0% |
Sheep abattoirs by size in England, 2024
| Size band (head) | Number of abattoirs | Total throughput (head) | Share of throughput (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-1,000 | 27 | 12,559 | 0.1% |
| 1,001-5,000 | 23 | 55,753 | 0.6% |
| 5,001-10,000 | 14 | 103,366 | 1.1% |
| 10,001-20,000 | 9 | 120,986 | 1.3% |
| 20,001-30,000 | 5 | 117,266 | 1.2% |
| 30,001-50,000 | 7 | 253,590 | 2.7% |
| 50,000 - 100,000 | 7 | 484,226 | 5.1% |
| > 100,001 | 23 | 8,321,686 | 87.9% |
| Total | 115 | 9,469,432 | 100.0% |
Additional information
Data based on abattoirs operating during the calendar year.
Contact us
This dataset was produced by our Data and Analysis Team. To find out more about the team, please visit the Data and Analysis team page.
If you need any further help, please email Dawn, Lydia or Sue at econ@ahdb.org.uk
Download dataset
England abattoir information 2019
England abattoir information 2020
England abattoir information 2021
England abattoir information 2022
Related content
While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.
All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.