Australian Slaughter Up in Q4

SYDNEY - Feb 6/06 - SNS -- The final quarter of 2005 saw a good increase in the number of animals slaughtered in Australia, reflecting a solid increase in the number of sheep and lambs brought to market.

With much of the increase accounted for by sheep and lambs, Australian meat production during the closing quarter fell far below output in the April through June quarter, when it totalled 823,006 metric tons (MT).

Despite the gains recorded for the quarter, Decembers numbers were not as good, with the number of animals slaughtered and meat production at their levels for the quarter.

Commenting on the data, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said, "The trend estimate for sheep slaughterings fell for the seventh consecutive month, to 966,900. This was the lowest figure recorded since January 2005.

"The trend estimate for mutton production fell for the seventh consecutive month, to 20,200 MT. This was the lowest figure recorded since January 2005."

ABS added, "The trend estimate for pig slaughterings rose for the sixth consecutive month, to 451,100. This was the highest figure recorded since June 2004.

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