Analysis Milk
Beef slaughter considerably lower in the first quarter
The number of cattle slaughters decreased in the first quarter (up to and including 28 March) compared to the first quarter last year. Dairy farmers may be anticipating the improved market prospects since February.
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The Dutch slaughter figures of cattle show a strong decrease from week 5. Over the first 4 weeks, the number of slaughters was just above last year's level.
In total, 3 cattle were processed by slaughterhouses in the first 117.397 months of this year. Last year there were 131.207 in the same period.
Perspective dairy
A possible explanation for the sudden drop in the number of slaughters is the improved prospects for the dairy market. As a result, dairy farmers may lose less livestock in order to be able to supply more milk, now that milk prices are on an upward trend. In the first 4 weeks, an average of 11.865 animals were slaughtered weekly. In the following 8 weeks, the average number of weekly slaughters fell to 8.743. The slaughter of cattle always declines in the spring and summer. In other years, the decline in the number of cattle slaughters did not start until around April. The average slaughter weight of the processed animals in the first quarter was 346,52 kilos. Last year it was 365,37 kilos.
Restore prices when supply is tight
Since the supply of cattle has declined, prices have also risen considerably. The price for O-quality broiler cows rose on the Leeuwarden cattle market from €2,63 per kilo in week 5 to €2,88 in week 12. An increase of €0,25 per kilo.