Figures from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) found that the UK produced 10% more beef and veal in October than last month and the same month a year ago.
Within this total production, 173,000 prime cattle were slaughtered, 7% more than September and 8% above October 2021.
Average prime cattle carcass weights ticked down seasonally through the third quarter of the year, being continuously below both 2021 and the five-year average.
In October, weights stabilised, nudging above year-ago levels, averaging 340.9kg (-0.1% vs September, +0.1% vs October 2021).
For cows, slaughter stood at 70,500 head for the month, up 20% compared to the previous month, and up 13% compared to the same month a year ago. This was also above the five-year average level.
For the year to date (Jan-Oct), UK beef production stood at 747,500t, up 1% compared to the same period a year ago. Prime cattle slaughter rose by 0.5% to 1.65 million, while cow kill was up 4% year-on-year at 540,000 head.
The news of beef production increases from AHDB comes in the wake of warnings from Rabobank that demand may yet soften because of high inflation and waning consumer confidence.
Into Q1 2023, production in Europe and the US is expected to decline, while production in Australia, Brazil, and China should be flat or increase.
