7218.0.55.001 - Livestock and Meat, Australia - Electronic Publication, Dec 2008 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 05/02/2009   
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DECEMBER KEY POINTS

LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED

  • The trend estimate for cattle slaughterings decreased compared to the previous month, to 650,000, and increased slightly compared to the same period last year.
  • The trend estimate for sheep slaughterings declined for the seventh consecutive month, to 941,000, and was down 5% compared to the same time last year.
  • The trend estimate for lamb slaughterings increased for the seventh consecutive month, to 1.8 million, and was 2% higher than the same period in the previous year.
  • The trend estimate for pig slaughterings declined for the sixteenth consecutive month, to 376,000. This was a decrease of 15% compared to last year.

MEAT PRODUCTION
  • The trend estimate for beef production declined compared to last month, to 173,000 tonnes, with a minor decrease of 1% compared to the same period last year.
  • The trend estimate for mutton production decreased for the eighth consecutive month to 19,700 tonnes, and was down 9% compared to same time last year.
  • The trend estimate for lamb production increased for the sixth consecutive month, to 36,500 tonnes, and was 3% lower that the same period last year.
  • The trend estimate for pig production continued to decline for the fifteenth consecutive month, to 27,000 tonnes, and was 16% down compared to the previous year.

DECEMBER KEY FIGURES

Seasonally
Trend
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED
Original
adjusted
estimate
'000
'000
'000
Cattle
522.6
611.8
650.0
Calves
23.6
63.2
64.0
Sheep
1,057.9
949.7
940.7
Lambs
1,710.3
1,775.0
1,804.5
Pigs
411.9
378.7
376.0
Seasonally
Trend
MEAT PRODUCED
Original
adjusted
estimate
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
Beef
138,914
162,366
172,612
Veal
1,217
2,073
2,083
Mutton
22,617
20,044
19,736
Lamb
34,689
35,990
36,447
Pig meat
28,499
27,239
26,983


NOTES

INTRODUCTION

This publication presents statistics on livestock slaughterings and meat production. These statistics are based on a monthly collection from abattoirs and other major slaughtering establishments. More detailed information on this series can be obtained by contacting the ABS or by referring to the quarterly ABS publication Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0)

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

The January 2009 issue of these data is due for release on 6 March 2009.

For more information about these and related statistics contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.