Reduced abattoir throughputs may impact future trading patterns
Reduced throughputs at UK abattoirs will have a knock-on impact on future trading patterns, industry chiefs have warned.
It comes as tight supplies of cattle and sheep have supported the continuing trend of above-average market prices into the first month of 2022.
But last year saw cattle throughputs reach their lowest level since 2015 at 2.7 million head, a 5.7 per cent drop on 2020 and 4.3 per cent below the five year average, according to Defra figures.
Glesni Phillips, data analyst at Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), said the decrease in cattle throughput at UK abattoirs last year was not unexpected.
“Increased numbers were processed during 2020 and this led to fewer cattle on the ground,” she said.
“This was especially true for adult cattle which saw throughput fall by almost 6 per cent on the year.”
Hannah Binns / Farmers Guardian
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