EUROSTAT
Directorate E: Sectoral and regional statistics
Unit E-1: Agriculture and fisheries
Luxembourg, 18 May 2015
Animal Production Statistics
National comments on the statistics
on livestock and meat
Introductiom
Eurostat request the Member States the following by30 April 2015.
Please provide your written comments (if possible in English) not only on the results and methodology used but also on the main forces behind trends in the animal production sector observed in recent surveys (i.e. livestock surveys of November/December 2014, GIP forecasts and slaughtering). It would be appreciated if such comments go beyond the description of the statistical results and methodology applied, in comparison with previous years, to explain the impact of agricultural policy measures and new market developments on the animal production. We propose to structure the comments on the production of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats as (1) Results of the Nov./Dec. 2014 survey, (2) Production forecasts 2015/2016, (3) Slaughtering in 2014, (4) intra-Community and external trade, (5) prices and (6) consumption.
As on 15 May, 17 of them have provided such a contribution. The present document is a compilation of these national contributions.
BE
1. Forecasts of gross indigenous production for bovine animals in Belgium
Given the reproductive potential (females older than one year X 0.85) in 2014, gross indigenous production (GIP) is expected to increase by more than 2% in 2015. The increase in reproductive potential, with a view to the end of milk quotas and the changes made to the distribution of coupled support as a result of the CAP reform, is likely to lead to a growth in GIP (more calves and therefore more bulls). Similarly, the new distribution of aids, which is less favourable to suckler cows, is likely to lead to a rise in GIP for (suckler) cows and heifers for slaughter.
BG
1. Cattle
Preliminary results of the survey in November 2014:
The total number of bovines decreased 4.0% to 562.4 thousand heads. There was a significant decrease in cattle in the group up to 1 year (-19.6%) especially calves for slaughtering (-46.3%). The number of animals from 1 to 2 years old increased compared to 2013 by 5.9%, whereas the number of animals 2 years old and over increased by 0.7%. There was a significant increase of breeding heifers from 1 to 2 years old (+28.6%), and older than 2 years – with 66.7 %. The heifers for slaughter decreased in both groups – respectively with 58.7 % and 60.5%. Cows decreased slightly by 0.6%. Dairy cows were 3.7% less than 2013, and other cows increased by 23.8% to 49 thousand heads. The farms with other cows in 2014 increased by 15% compared to 2013, while milk farms decreased by 26% - mainly small farms with less than 9 cows (-29.4).
Slaughtered cattle in 2014:
According to preliminary data, the number of slaughtered cattle in 2014 decreased by 3.1% compared with 2013. There was an increase in slaughter of heifers (22.6%) and cows (34.3%). The slaughtered bovines under 1 year old decreased by 13.8%. The bovines slaughtered in slaughterhouses in 2014 were 14.2% less compared to 2013 and other slaughtering - 0.2% less.
Gross indigenous production forecast (GIP):
Gross indigenous production is calculated based on monthly slaughtering and the foreign trade of live animals. GIP forecast for 2015 is based on the number of livestock on November 1st, 2014 and estimated coefficients of real GIP for the previous three years. GIP 2016 is calculated based on the estimated number of live cattle on 1st November 2015. It is expected that in 2015 the slaughtered cows, heifers and bulls will decrease (for cows -10% and for heifers -11%), and in 2016 they will begin to increase. The total level of slaughter of cattle in 2015 is expected to be 3.6% less than in 2014 and 6.2% more in 2016 compared to 2015.
Foreign Trade:
Compared to 2013, export of live cattle decreased by 48%, due to decreased export of live calves (-57.1%). Import of live cattle remains insignificant, but was 58.8% higher than in 2013, mainly cows and heifers. In 2014 the country imported more than 12.5 tons bovine meat which was 77.4% more than in 2013, export of meat increased twice to 1.9 tons.
Prices:
Producer prices of live cattle in 2014 increased compared to 2013 - cows for fattening (3.1%), heifers for fattening over 2 years (14.8%). Prices for calves up to 1 year were 2.7% higher. The price for cattle from 1 to 2 years was 7.1% higher.
2. Pigs
Preliminary results of the survey in November 2014:
The total number of pigs in 2014 decreased by 5.7% compared with 2013 to 553.1 thousands. Piglets up to 20 kg increased 40.8%. Pigs from the category young pigs from 20 to 50 kg decreased by 6.4%, whereas pigs for fattening decreased by 22.4%. Female breeding pigs decreased 0.4% - the young mated for the first time pigs decreased by 23.6%, the gilts increased by 32.4%.
Pigs slaughtered in 2014 – the number of pigs, slaughtered in 2014 decreased compared to 2013 by 5.5%. The number of pigs slaughtered in slaughterhouses in 2014 increased by 1.6%, other slaughtering decreased by 30.7%.
Gross indigenous meat production forecast for pigs (GIP):
The estimated GIP for pigs in 2015 is 1.0% less than in 2014, and with a slight increase in 2016 compared to 2015 (+1.4%).
Foreign Trade:
Import of live pigs increased by 45%in 2014 compared to 2013 – imported were about 52 thousand pigs for fattening. There was no export of live pigs.
Import of pig meat in 2014 was 15% higher than in 2013; the export of pig meat increased 2014 by 64% compared to 2013.
Prices:
In 2014, the price for live weight of piglets up to 20 kg decreased slightly by 0.2% compared to 2013. The price for young pigs weighing 20 to 50 kg was 15.4% higher. Prices decreased for pigs for fattening - 15.3% for 50 to 80 kg, 6.9% for the category of 80 to 110 kg, and 8.9% for the category of over 110 kg.
3. Sheep and goats
Preliminary results of the survey in November 2014:
The total number of sheep in 2014 decreased by 2.5% compared to 2013. Ewes and young sheep put to the ram for the first time decreased by 8.1%, as dairy ewes and young sheep put to the ram for first time decreased by 7.9%. Meat ewes decreased by 10.5%, while other sheep increased 61.1% than in 2013.
Goats increased by 1.2% compared to 2013. She-goats and young female goats for breeding were 8.2% less, while other goats increased twice.
Slaughtered sheep and goats in 2014
The sheep, slaughtered in 2014 increased by 7.4% compared to 2013. The sheep slaughtered in slaughterhouses increased 34.5%, while other slaughtering decreased by 1.6%. The number of slaughtered goats increased 3.8%.
Gross indigenous sheep and goats forecast (GIP):
GIP for sheep in 2015 decreased 2.9% compared to 2014, and for goats increased by 1.1%.
Foreign Trade:
Import of live sheep in 2014 increased by 38.3% compared to 2013. About 136 thousand sheep were imported, exported were about 15 thousand sheep (-35.6%). 4.6 thousand goats were exported. There was no import of live goats.
The export of sheep meat increased over 30% compared to 2013 to 1892 tons. The import of meat was 504 tons, which was an increase of 24.6% compared to 2013.
Prices:
Price for live lambs for fattening up to 6 months in 2014 was 1.6% higher than in 2013, of the ewes - 7.8% higher. The price for goats up to 6 months old was 7.3% lower, while the price for she-goats was 82.6% higher.
CZ
1. Cattle
Results of the December survey
The survey on 31 December 2014 showed the following results:
- The total number of cattle was 1373065 heads; it went up by 41 thousand heads (+3.1%).
- The number of cows increased by 2.4% to 566243 heads, of which the number of dairy cows remained on the same level (−0.8%) and the number of other ones, i.e. not intended for milk production, rose by 9.2%.
- Also the number of young animals went up (the number of mated replacement heifers increased by 1.3%, of which those aged up to 2 years by 6.2%).
Considering the increased number in the herd-turnover relevant categories a progress in cattle is expected. The number of cows not intended for milk production has been continuously increasing since 2010, whereas the number of dairy cows has been oscillating because of higher sensitivity of milk specialisation to milk price changes.
Slaughtering
The beef and veal production in 2014 amounted to 65529 tonnes (+1.1%). Slaughtering in categories which generate breeding potential (heifers and cows) decreased (−10.0% and −4.7%, respectively) whereas slaughtering in bulls went up (+7.5%). The number of animals imported for slaughtering was negligible in comparison with the number of exported ones.
Since 2012 cattle slaughtering out of slaughterhouses has been permitted in the Czech Republic. According to preliminary results, 2105 animals were slaughtered out of slaughterhouses (+24.0%) in 2014. However, it represents less than 1% of slaughterings in slaughterhouses.
External trade in live cattle and beef
In 2014, external trade turnover of live cattle was 197 thousand heads, of which 195 thousand animals were exported; out of them 80 thousand animals were intended for slaughter and the rest for other rearing or breeding. Live cattle were exported mainly to Austria.
Imports and exports of beef amounted to 23.3thousand tonnes (+11.1%) and 7.6 thousand tonnes (−2.7%), respectively. The trade in beef went in both directions with Poland; Poland prevailed in imports and Slovakia in exports.
The Czech external trade in live cattle and beef was characterised by export of animals for slaughtering, fattening or breeding, and by import of beef.
Beef production and external trade resulted in self-sufficiency of approximately 140% (preliminary result).
Prices
Agricultural producer prices of cattle for slaughter went up for bulls (+0.8%) while they decreased for calves (−13.0%), cows (−4.3) and heifers (−0.9%). Farmers sold bulls for slaughter for the average price of CZK 83.53 (EUR 3.03) per kg of carcass weight (the minimum price was recorded in January and the maximum one in April).
Production forecasts
GIP forecasts for 2015 and 2016 were compiled on the basis of trends in cattle husbandry and external trade in live cattle in 2014. Relatively stable producer prices in beef sector and chances to succeed at the market abroad are expected to affect positively the total gross indigenous production.
2. Pigs
Results of the December survey
The survey on 31 December 2014 showed following results:
- The number of pigs accounted for 1606858 heads (+3.8%), of which 145.4 thousand were breeding pigs (−5.3%), 640.6 thousand pigs for fattening (+7.4%), and 820.9 thousand pigs of less than 50 kg of live weight (+2.9%)
Despite the number of breeding pigs decreased a slight recovery of pig husbandry was recorded in the other categories. Nevertheless, the categories of piglets, young or fattened pigs included animals imported, on average 12.0% of slaughtered ones.
Slaughtering
In 2014 the pigmeat production kept the same level as in the previous year (235991 tonnes, +0.7%, and 2640.1 thousand pigs, −0.4%). Despite slaughtering of pigs did not change and their imports for slaughter slightly increased (96.4 thousand pigs, +4.3%), their exports raised (231.1 thousand pigs, +17.5%).
External trade in live pigs and pigmeat
In 2014 imports and exports amounted to 406.9 thousand (−14.2%) and 275.7 thousand (+18.1%) pigs, respectively. A significant category of imports were young pigs up to 50 kg; 308.9 thousand pigs (−17.9%) with their average weight of 26.6 kg were imported. This category of pigs was exported at the same time (40.4 thousand pigs, +71.3%). Pigs over 50 kg of live weight prevailed in exports; 231.1 thousand pigs (+17.5%) with their average weight of 117.9 kg were exported. Live pigs came from Germany, Denmark and from the Netherlands; they went to Slovakia, Hungary and Germany.
A negative balance of pigmeat external trade (−196.5thousand tonnes) comprised of 238.9thousand tonnes (+5.9%) imported and 42.4thousand tonnes (−0.2%) exported pigmeat. Majority of pigmeat was imported from Germany, Spain, and Poland. Exports went primarily to Slovakia.
The Czech external trade in live pigs was characterised by decreased imports of animals for fattening and their increased parallel exports and by increased exports of fattened pigs for slaughter. The pigmeat consumption was balanced by high and increased amount of pigmeat imported, thus self-sufficiency was only about 57% (preliminary results).
Prices
Agricultural producer prices of pigs for slaughter declined by 1.3%. The producers sold pigs for slaughter for the average price of CZK 42.40 (EUR 1.54) per kg of carcass weight (the minimum price was recorded in December, the maximum one in July).
Production forecasts
GIP forecasts for the period of the next six quarters respect trends in pig husbandry (slightly recovering number of pigs for fattening), external trade (decreased imports and increased exports) and slaughtering (remained at the same level) under conditions of the steady self-sufficiency.
3. Sheep and goats
The number of sheep and goats in the Czech Republic are surveyed for a national use as at 1 April. In 2014 there were 225397 (+2.2%) and 24348 (+1.3%) heads of sheep and goats, respectively. The population sizes of both sheep and goats are below the threshold given by the Regulation (EC) No. 1165/2008.