Meat production edged up by 0.2 per cent to 3,645 tonnes during the last quarter of 2010. Beef and broiler meat production declined by 32.6 and 1.4 per cent respectively, due to lower numbers of slaughtered cattle and broilers (35.7 and 3.5 per cent respectively).

However, there was an increase in the average carcass weight. The production of pigmeat rose by 8.1 per cent, attributable to a 6.7 per cent rise in the average carcass weight and to an increase of 311 slaughtered pigs.

Producer Value – During the period under review, the producer value of animals slaughtered at licensed slaughterhouses amounted to €6.8 million, up by €0.1 million (1.5 per cent) over the fourth quarter of 2010.

The producer value of beef dropped by 25.6 per cent, on account of lower numbers of slaughtered cattle. The average price per kilogram fetched on the market went up by 10.3 per cent, from €2.49 per kilogram in 2009 to €2.74 in 2010.

On the other hand, the producer value of pigmeat registered a rise of 8.1 per cent due to an increase in the number of slaughtered pigs, while the average price per kilogram remained at par with the comparative period in 2009.

Reflecting a higher average price per kilogram, the producer value of broiler meat registered an increase of 3.8 per cent. The average price per kilogram went up by 5.2 per cent to €1.80 in the fourth quarter last year.

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