UK Slaughter Statistics - August 2009

UK - According to the latest figures from Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), the UK's home-killed production of pork rose (but only slightly) in July, owing to it being a five-week month.

The number of clean pigs sent for slaughter in July was 885,000 compared to 708,000 in June and 675,000 in May. 20,000 sows and boars went for slaughter last month, while 15,000 went for the same in May and June.

The slaughter weight for clean pigs dropped in July, where the numbers stand at 76.9 kg, compared to 77.4 kg and 77.7 kg in June and May respectively. On the other hand, the average dressed carcase weight for sows and boars rose, if only by a little, at 155.2 kg compared to 151.2 kg in June and 149.1 kg in May.

Overall, the UK produced 71,000 tonnes of pigmeat last month, compared to 57,000 tonnes in July, 55,000 tonnes in May and 67,000 tonnes in April.