UK Meat Output Mixed as Cattle and Sheep Numbers Fall
UK Slaughter Statistics Show Mixed Results for December 2025
Published 15 January 2026
The latest statistics from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA ) indicate a mixed performance for the UK’s meat production sector in December 2025. While overall beef and pigmeat production saw year-on-year increases, the number of prime cattle and clean sheep slaughtered declined, suggesting a complex market dynamic as the year concluded.
Specifically, beef and veal production rose by 2.4% to 72,000 tonnes compared to December 2024, despite a 0.5% decrease in prime cattle slaughterings to 157,000 head. The pig sector experienced a more pronounced upward trend, with pigmeat production increasing by 6.5% to 82,000 tonnes and clean pig slaughterings rising by 2.4% to 872,000 head. In contrast, the sheep sector saw a 4.1% reduction in clean sheep slaughterings to 1,071,000 head, although mutton and lamb production edged up by 0.4% to 25,000 tonnes.
These figures highlight shifting patterns within the UK livestock industry. The increase in beef and pigmeat production, despite fluctuating slaughter numbers, may point to heavier carcase weights or changes in processing yields. For the sheep sector, the decline in slaughterings could reflect a variety of factors, including flock rebuilding efforts or responses to market prices.
Source: DEFRA / GOV.UK | 15 January 2026
Read full article Share on X