Meat production steady

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 22

Meat production steady

Total meat production in 1981- (to September 29) is expected to be about the same as for 1980-81, reports the latest edition of “The Agricultural Economist.” Lamb, beef and pig meat production are unchanged although mutton production is anticipated to have declined as a result of reduced slaughterings and carcass weights. Veal production, on the other hand, is thought to have increased, because of increased slaughterings and carcass weights. Little change in total meat production is expected in 1982- As no substantial changes are expected in domestic consumption, estimates of total export meat production should not change greatly. > However, “The Agricultural Economist” points out the difficulty of forecasting meat exports with any degree of accuracy. This is mainly because of problems encountered in the marketing of mutton and lamb last season.

The timing of shipments and changes in export stocks obviously have a bearing on the final volume of exports for any one season. Therefore, with sheepmeat stocks at relatively high levels, it is more appropriate to estimate production available for export, rather than what actual exports will be.