Supplies of beef and lamb forecast to be tight all year

Feb 19 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

TWO new reports from the Meat and Livestock Commission both point in the same direction – tight supplies of beef and lamb all year.

Sheep meat exports are forecast to be up on last year and this, combined with steady import volumes and lower domestic production, is expected to contribute to 3% less at home.

British beef is also expected to be in demand with tighter supplies, as prime cattle slaughterings are forecast to be lower. There is uncertainty on availability of cull cows for manufacturing beef, as much depends on profitability of the dairy herd. If strong prices for milk are maintained, fewer cow slaughterings are expected than last year.

MLC business development manager Joanne Knowles said: “In the sheep sector, although a backlog of lambs still needs to be removed, clean sheep slaughterings are forecast to be lower for the year as a whole, partly due to a smaller lamb crop.”