7218.0.55.001 - Livestock and Meat, Australia - Electronic Publication, Dec 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 04/02/2004   
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DECEMBER KEY POINTS


TREND ESTIMATES

  • The trend estimate for cattle slaughterings rose for the fifth consecutive month, to 661,000. Increases in numbers slaughtered have been driven in part by ongoing dry conditions in some areas. However, the cattle industry has also experienced strong demand in recent months from restockers due to good rainfall in key areas.
  • The trend estimate for lamb slaughterings rose for the fifth consecutive month, to 1.4 million. The increase has been influenced by good rainfall during the spring season in south-eastern Australia. Supply of lambs has been especially strong in Victoria.
  • The trend estimate for lamb meat production rose for the fifth consecutive month, to 29,100 tonnes.
  • The trend estimate for pig meat production fell for the seventh consecutive month, to 33,000 tonnes as imported pig meat placed pressure on the domestic product.

DECEMBER KEY FIGURES

Seasonally
Trend
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED
Original
adjusted
estimate
'000
'000
'000
Cattle
558.5
667.5
661.1
Calves
46.1
114.9
106.4
Sheep
889.7
876.8
845.6
Lambs
1,364.8
1,418.5
1,389.9
Pigs
471.6
447.1
455.1
Seasonally
Trend
MEAT PRODUCED
Original
adjusted
estimate
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
Beef
144,918
171,899
169,183
Veal
2,105
3,588
3,616
Mutton
19,285
18,770
18,317
Lamb
28,142
29,528
29,115
Pig meat
32,876
32,437
32,972


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).

For more information about these and related statistics, contact John Moody on Hobart 03 6222 5867, or the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.