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2022 UK sheep meat production
Monday, 23 January 2023
Please note AHDB has queried Defra’s published slaughter numbers and continues to work with industry and Defra to resolve issues arising from the data set.
The most recent Defra data release put December sheep meat production at 26,000 tonnes, a 6% increase on November and 1% up on volumes from this time last year. This brings the Defra total production for the year to 275,800 tonnes, a 3% increase on 2021, however this remains below the Defra 5-year average by 6%.
Carcase weights have remained steady averaging 20.2kg in 2022. This highlights that the year on year increase in production has been predominantly driven by increased throughputs. Clean sheep kill is reported as 1.2million head in December, 7% up from the number seen in November and 5% up on numbers seen in December last year. This brings the reported total throughput of clean sheep for the year to 12.1million head, 3% growth on 2021, however like production, this is down 6% compared to the 5 year average.
For adult sheep kill throughput is reported as 106,100 head in December, an 11% increase month on month but down 7% year on year. For the full year, adult kill is reported as 1.2million head, up 4% on 2021 but down 19% on the 5-year average.
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