Search our website enhanced by Google.
Sheep meat production lower year on year in October
Thursday, 12 November 2020
In October, the UK produced 27,400 tonnes of sheep meat, according to data from Defra. This is 500 tonnes more than in September, but 2,100 tonnes (7%) less than October last year. This brings total production for the year to 242,000 tonnes, 4% lower than at the same point last year.
1.24 million clean sheep were slaughtered in the month, 5% fewer than a year ago. The trend for lower adult slaughter also continued, with only 120,000 head killed, 24% fewer than a year ago. In the year so far 10.6 million clean sheep have come forward, down 1%, and 1.2 million adult sheep have been slaughtered, 15% down on 2019. Average clean carcase weights were 19.5kg, the same as in October last year. It is the lower adult slaughter that is behind the year on year decline in production. Click here to see how our July forecast has performed so far.
The second lockdown, either in the UK or in France, does not appear to have had a detrimental effect on the finished sheep market. Prices in France have been elevated due to a reported tight supply situation. As long as exports can move, and are in demand, this may continue to lend support to UK prices. Finished and store prices have been high compared to both last year and the five-year average.
Sign up for regular updates
You can subscribe to receive Beef and Lamb market news straight to your inbox. Simply fill in your contact details on our online form.
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.