The AHDB has released its latest forecasts for red meat production.
Beef
Beef production is forecast to decline in 2019, although this is more due to a drop in cow slaughterings after a particularly high number in 2018 rather than fewer prime cattle slaughterings. However, prime cattle supplies are expected to tighten from the second half of 2019 and into 2020.
The extreme weather in 2018 and strong demand for cow beef has seen producers cull any marginal or unproductive animals; cow slaughterings increased by more than 30,000 head in 2018. Cullings are expected to return to normal in 2019. But the weather conditions in 2018 also resulted in high on farm mortality and, together with higher than normal culling, the forecast is for the overall breeding herd (dairy and beef) to experience a decline by 2% in 2019. The majority of prime cattle supplies in 2019 will have been born in 2017 and BCMS registrations show supplies should be similar to 2018. But around 30% of prime cattle production usually comes from the previous year’s calves (i.e. 2018); predominantly male dairy calves which finish between 12-15 months. The poor weather resulted in increased mortality and fewer registrations during the early part of 2018. This is likely to effect production in the second half of 2019. The decline in registrations in 2018 is expected to have more of an effect on prime cattle slaughterings in 2020.
The trade forecast is for a small reduction in both imports and exports (this assumes the UK continues to have access to EU markets after Brexit). Around 71% of all imports in the first 8 months of 2018 came from Ireland. But Irish production is expected to be lower in 2019 and consequently imports to the UK are expected to fall. However, trade from Poland to the UK has been increasing and it could take advantage of lower availability from Ireland. UK exports are expected to decline in line with lower production. The table below summarises the AHDB actual and forecast supplies.
Actual & Forecast Supplies of Beef & Veal in the UK – source AHDB | ||||
‘000 tonnes |
2017 |
2018 (f) |
2019 (f) |
2020 (f) |
Production |
895 |
907 |
886 |
874 |
Imports |
443 |
463 |
455 |
450 |
Exports |
140 |
153 |
146 |
143 |
Total Consumption |
1,198 |
1,217 |
1,195 |
1,181 |
Lamb
The severe weather in 2018 has had a negative impact on lamb production. High ewe and lamb mortality has resulted in a decline in the 2018 lamb crop. The AHDB is forecasting a one million head year-on-year decline to a lamb crop of 17 million head. The lack of forage, due to the hot dry summer, has made finishing lambs difficult; the number of lambs killed from January to September stands at 9.1 million head, 4% down on 2017 and this includes an 8% increase in quarter one (old season lamb carry over). The unusual weather conditions resulted in a 15% decline in slaughterings in the second quarter of the year and 3% year-on-year fall in the third quarter. Looking ahead, the number of lambs killed in the fourth quarter of 2018 is expected to be around 3.6 million head, down 7% on the previous year. Even so, the carryover into 2019 is expected to be smaller than 2018 due to the decline in the overall lamb crop, resulting in Q1 2019 slaughterings down by 12%.
Looking ahead to 2019, the lamb crop is expected to be similar to 2018, as, although the rearing rate is expected to be better, the breeding flock is forecast to decline, due to higher than normal mortality levels in 2018 and uncertainty surrounding Brexit. In addition, lack of grass and high feeding costs at tupping time is expected to affect ewe fertility. Assuming more normal weather patterns, lamb kill seasonality is expected to return to a more typical finishing pattern in 2019, although there have been reports of some early lambing flocks moving to lamb later in the year.
Looking at trade, exports are forecast to decline by 12% this year, mainly due to the fall in UK production. In 2019, shipments are expected to remain steady, although this is based on a similar trading relationship with the EU and the rest of the world after Brexit and also the value of Sterling against the Euro remaining favourable. UK imports declined sharply in 2017, partly due to the relationship between the New Zealand Dollar and Sterling. Shipments at the beginning of 2018 were also down, but have risen over the summer due to high UK prices. Imports are forecast to fall slightly in 2019, due to a decline in global lamb production; Australia and New Zealand are forecasting a contraction in output. The table below summarises the AHDB’s latest UK production forecast.
Actual & Forecast Supplies of Mutton & Lamb in the UK – AHDB | ||||
000′ tonnes |
2017 |
2018 (f) |
2019 (f) |
2020 (f) |
Production |
297 |
285 |
286 |
291 |
Imports (a) |
95 |
96 |
92 |
92 |
Exports (a) |
94 |
82 |
83 |
91 |
Total Consumption |
298 |
299 |
295 |
292 |
(a) Carcase weight equivalent and including processed products
Pig Meat Supplies
UK pig meat production is expected to increase in 2019, but the trend in lower imports may compensate to some extent for this. Clean pig slaughterings are forecast to rise again in 2019, although probably by about 2-3%, compared to over 3% growth expected in 2018. Sow productivity has been rising, although there was some disease outbreaks in the winter and challenges with slow growth rates and fertility levels due to the hot summer. Performance is expected to continue to increase, albeit at a slower rate than in previous years at, 0.3 pigs sold per sow per year. Increases in carcase weight is a long term trend although is only expected to rise marginally in 2019 and sow slaughterings are forecast to decline compared to 2018, which means growth in pig meat production will mainly be due to the increase in clean pig slaughterings. Turning to trade, imports are expected to continue to decline, by about 2% in the coming year as production increases. Exports have been difficult in 2018; very low Chinese pork prices has seen a decline in shipments to China and Hong Kong, but the presence of African Swine Fever in the Chinese herd could affect its import demand next year. The table below summarises the AHDB’s latest UK production forecasts.
Actual & Forecast Supplies of Pork in the UK – source AHDB | ||||
000 tonnes | 2017 | 2018 (f) | 2019 (f) | 2020 (f) |
Production | 903 | 934 | 957 | 981 |
Imports | 1,083 | 1,055 | 1,033 | 1,019 |
Exports | 263 | 261 | 267 | 277 |
Total Consumption | 1,722 | 1,712 | 1,722 | 1,723 |