German meat production shrinks in first quarter

The number of cattle slaughtered decreased by 4,2%. Due to higher slaughter weights, meat production shrank by only 2,6%. A total of 273.240 tons of beef were produced in Germany. Poultry production also declined. This was mainly caused by a sharp decline in turkey meat production. This decreased by almost 7% to a total of 114.700 tons. A slight increase in broiler production by 0,6% to 260.080 tonnes could not prevent a total shrinkage of poultry: it fell 1,8% to a total of 389.770 tonnes.

Strongest contraction in pork production
Pork production fell the most. The number of animals slaughtered was 4,2% lower than in the first quarter of 2020. German pig slaughterers processed 13,43 million pigs from January to March. That was 586.200 fewer than in the same period last year. Because slaughter weights also increased for pigs, meat production shrank less sharply. Total pork production fell 2,6% to 1,31 million tons.

An important cause of the lower quantity of pork produced is the sharp decline in imports of live pigs from other countries. 61,1% fewer pigs from abroad were slaughtered. The number of processed slaughter pigs from abroad therefore amounted to 310.700 animals.

Consumption is also declining
German meat production therefore appears to be following the consumption trend. The meat consumption of German consumers has been declining slightly for years. Germans still ate 2020 kilos of meat in 57,33. That was 8,8% less than in 2011.