The most recent market anyalsis by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is displaying that the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on the meat trade is subsiding.

Nonetheless new exterior pressures – starting from value inflation to the recent climate – are starting to be felt on each customers and farmers.

Based on figures from the Division for Surroundings, Meals and Rural Affairs (Defra), UK prime lamb slaughterings for every of the primary 5 months of 2022 had been greater than the earlier yr’s mark.

Consequently, the entire throughput of lambs at UK abattoirs through the first half of the yr was up by 8% (or 440,700 head).

It is a return to extra regular slaughter ranges seen earlier than Covid-19.

The throughput of cull ewes and rams can be notably greater than 2021 ranges, however comparable with the long-term common for the corresponding interval.

The full throughput of cattle at UK abattoirs stood at 1.3 million head through the first half of 2022.

The primary half of 2021 did expertise document low throughput figures for cattle, so the newest information suggests that offer has since recovered.

HCC’s information analyst Glesni Phillips mentioned,

“The figures for lamb and beef throughput through the first half of this yr recommend that the turbulence of the rapid post-Brexit and Covid intervals has subsided, and we’re again to extra regular patterns of manufacturing as seen earlier than 2020.

“Nonetheless, there are indicators that completely different exterior elements are starting to have an effect.

“Retail information is starting to recommend recessionary shopping for patterns on the a part of hard-pressed customers, with some shifting to cheaper cuts and cheaper proteins. This will likely be a priority for the trade by way of carcase steadiness.

“Additionally, excessive enter prices are having an antagonistic impact on farm steadiness sheets.

“The mixed influence of the dry climate and excessive feed costs could restrict the numbers of lambs prepared for market over the following few weeks, whereas the excessive stage of slaughterings within the pig sector – 8% greater than the five-year common – recommend that some producers are decreasing inventory ranges resulting from excessive prices.”