Australian Slaughter Activity Remains Up

SYDNEY - Jul 4/05 - SNS -- Livestock slaughter activity posted a modest month over month decline in May, but remained above year earlier levels, according to the latest data available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The total number of animals slaughtered during the month was almost 3.8 million and meat production totalled 273,479 metric tons (MT), down from 276,790 in April, but above the 269,543 MT produced a year earlier.

Commenting on the latest numbers, ABS noted, "The trend estimate for beef production rose for the sixth consecutive month, to 185,600 MT. This was the highest figure recorded since records began in July 1979.

"The trend estimate for lamb slaughterings rose for the tenth consecutive month, to 1.6 million. This was the highest figure recorded since October 2000. The trend estimate for sheep slaughterings rose for the seventh consecutive month, to 1.0 million. This was the highest figure recorded since February 2003," ABS said.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here