Accredited official statistics

Chapter 8: Livestock

Published 6 June 2024

Summary

• The value of beef and veal increased by 4.2% to £3.9 billion (bn). Home-fed production decreased by 2.5% to 904 thousand tonnes.
• The value of pig meat increased by 6.2% to £1.8bn. Home-fed production decreased by 11% to 887 thousand tonnes.
• The value of mutton and lamb decreased by 2.7% to £1.6bn. Home-fed production decreased by 1.8% to 296 thousand tonnes.
• The value of poultry meat increased by 12% to £3.5bn. Home-fed production decreased by 1.7% to 2,083 thousand tonnes.
• The value of milk and milk products decreased by 10% to £6.0bn, driven by a decrease in prices from an all-time high in 2022. The volume of milk produced in 2023 remains unchanged from production levels in 2022.
• The value of eggs for human consumption increased by 30% to £1.0bn. Production decreased by 8.0% to 0.9 billion dozen.

Meat production

Total meat production in 2023 decreased by 4.1% to 4.2 million tonnes. This is the first decrease in total production in over a decade and levels still remain 16% higher than a decade ago. Over 60% of this decrease has been driven by the large reduction of 11% in the home fed production of pigs.

Despite the decrease in overall production quantity, in 2023 the total value of UK meat production rose by 5.8% to £10.9bn, this has largely been driven by substantial price increases for cattle, pigs and poultry.

Tables 8.1a to 8.1b - Meat production

Enquiries: Sam Beale on +44(0) 7386 658427
Email: defra.fisu@defra.gov.uk

Table 8.1a Home fed production (thousand tonnes)

Production	2021	2022	2023
Cattle	910	926	904
Pigs	995	1,001	887
Sheep	293	302	296
Poultry	2,137	2,119	2,083
Total production	4,335	4,348	4,170

Table 8.1b Value of production (£ million)

Production	2021	2022	2023
Cattle	3,349	3,750	3,908
Pigs	1,459	1,730	1,838
Sheep	1,575	1,627	1,582
Poultry	3,035	3,168	3,542
Total value	9,463	10,321	10,920

Notes:

1. Total value for meat production includes other animals that are not shown in the table.

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Cattle and calves: beef and veal

The value of beef and veal production increased by 4.2% to £3.9bn in 2023, following an increase of 12% the year before. The 2023 increase in value was driven by increasing prices, including a 10% increase in the price of finished prime cattle.

Home-fed cattle production decreased by 2.5% and now stands at 904 thousand tonnes in 2023. Retail demand was firm throughout 2023 despite higher prices per kg. Total beef and veal exports to the EU decreased by 10% but still remain similar to their pre-Brexit levels; exports to the rest of the world have decreased by 35% between 2022 and 2023, following another 35% decrease between 2021 and 2022. The decreases to exports do, however, come after extremely high-volume years in 2020 and 2021. Domestic home-fed production made up 85% of the UK’s supply in 2023, which is a 2% decrease year-on-year.

Tables 8.2a to 8.2d - Cattle and calves; beef and veal

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Email: defra.fisu@defra.gov.uk

Table 8.2a Population (thousand head at June)

Population	2021	2022	2023
Total cattle and calves	9,603	9,632	9,555
Dairy cows	1,850	1,842	1,836
Beef cows	1,485	1,463	1,407

Table 8.2b Production

Production	2021	2022	2023
Total home-fed marketings (thousand head)	2,776	2,840	2,793
Steers, heifers and young bulls	2,017	2,060	2,033
Calves	128	126	121
Cows and adult bulls	631	655	639
Average dressed carcase weight (kg)
Steers, heifers and young bulls	347	346	342
Calves	88	79	81
Cows and adult bulls	315	313	310
Production
Home fed production (dressed carcase weight, thousand tonnes)	910	926	904
Value of production (£ million)	3,349	3,750	3,908
Value of home-fed production	3,312	3,736	3,946
Change in work-in-progress	39	33	-21
Less imported livestock	2	21	16
Plus breeding animals exported	0	0	0
Subsidies	40	40	40
Value of production at basic price	3,389	3,790	3,949

Table 8.2c Prices (pence per kg deadweight)

Prices	2021	2022	2023
Finished cattle: All prime cattle	398	432	476

Table 8.2d Supply and use (dressed carcase weight equivalent, thousand tonnes)

Supply and use	2021	2022	2023
Home-fed production	910	926	904
Imports from EU	310	284	274
Imports from the rest of the world	11	13	14
Exports to EU	98	131	118
Exports to the rest of the world	34	22	14
Total new supply	1,099	1,070	1,060
Home-fed production as % of new supply for use in the UK	83%	87%	85%

Notes:

1. Measures of home-fed marketings, dressed carcase weights, production and value include animals raised and slaughtered in the UK, excluding any animals removed from the food chain.
2. A valuation of the change in work-in-progress of animals to be slaughtered.
3. Subsidies comprising Scottish Beef Calf Scheme until 2014.  From 2015 Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme.
4. Value of production includes subsidies and taxes.
5. Includes meat from imports of live finished animals.

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Pigs and pig meat

Home-fed pig meat production has decreased by 11% to 887 thousand tonnes since 2022, where it was at the highest level since 1999 (1,002 thousand tonnes). The breeding herd has remained stable over the last 12 months but dropped by 19% over the last 24 months; the breeding herd now stands at 308 thousand head. Average carcase weight remains high at 89.17kg, having decreased 0.1% from the record high seen in 2022. The value of home-fed pig meat production increased by 6.5% due to price increases more than offsetting the decrease in production. The average clean pig deadweight price increased by 22% to £2.18 per kg. This is the second year of extremely large increases in a row, with the price per kg of clean pigs having increased by 46% since 2021. Reduced supply and firm demand were both contributory factors regarding this increase.

Tables 8.3a to 8.3d - Pigs and pig meat

Enquiries: Sam Beale on +44(0) 7386 658427
Email: defra.fisu@defra.gov.uk

Table 8.3a Population (thousand head at June)

Population	2021	2022	2023
Total pigs	5,323	5,220	4,683
Sows in pig and other sows for breeding	345	301	290
Gilts in pig	54	42	48

Table 8.3b Production

Production	2021	2022	2023
Total home-fed marketings (thousand head)	11,058	10,961	9,811
Clean pigs	10,787	10,698	9,584
Sows and boars	271	264	227
Average dressed carcase weight (kg)
Clean pigs	89	90	89
Sows and boars	146	144	143
Production (dressed carcase weight, thousand tonnes)
Home-fed production	995	1,001	887
Value of production (£ million)	1,459	1,730	1,838
Value of home-fed production	1,437	1,745	1,858
Change in work in progress	20	-16	-21
Less imported livestock	[x]	[x]	[x]
Plus breeding animals exported	2	0	0

Table 8.3c Prices (pence per kg deadweight)

Prices	2021	2022	2023
Clean pigs	148	178	217

Table 8.3d Supply and use (dressed carcase weight equivalent, thousand tonnes)

Supply and use	2021	2022	2023
Home-fed production	995	1,001	887
Imports from EU	623	658	652
Imports from rest of the world	1	1	1
Exports to EU	85	117	91
Exports to rest of the world	126	100	66
Total new supply	1,408	1,443	1,383
Home-fed production as % of new supply for use in the UK	71%	69%	64%

Notes:

1. Measures of home-fed marketings, dressed carcase weights, production and value include animals raised and slaughtered in the UK, excluding any animals removed from the food chain.
2. A valuation of the change in work-in-progress of animals to be slaughtered.
3. Includes meat from imports of live finished animals.
4. Trade figures relate to trade in fresh chilled and frozen meat. Trade figures also include salted and brine meat (e.g. ham and bacon). There is significant trade in processed meats, (recorded in Chapter 16 of HMRC trade data) which are not recorded in the trade figures.

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Sheep and lambs: mutton and lamb

The value of home-fed sheep meat production decreased by 2.7% to £1.6bn. This decrease is partially due to a decrease in home-fed production, which decreased by 1.8% since 2022, and in 2023 now stands at 296 thousand tonnes. The price of finished sheep in Great Britain increased by 2.1% compared to 2022, and now stands at £5.78 per kg; prices are now at an all-time high per kg.

Imports of lamb and mutton from EU countries has declined by 31% between 2022 and 2023. It is worth noting, however, that this decrease comes after a large increase in the previous year. Lamb exports have increased by 6.4% between 2022 and 2023 and now stand at 92 thousand tonnes.

The UK remains a net-exporter of lamb, with home-fed production representing 114% of supply in 2023, and 107% in 2022. Total UK imports of lamb have decreased by 18% and now stands at 56 thousand tonnes, the majority of which comes from non-EU countries.

Tables 8.4a to 8.4d - Sheep and lambs: mutton and lamb

Enquiries: Sam Beale on +44(0) 7386 658427
Email: defra.fisu@defra.gov.uk

Table 8.4a Population (thousand head at June)

Population	2021	2022	2023
Total sheep and lambs	32,957	33,174	31,803
Female breeding flock	15,624	15,826	15,438
Other sheep and lambs	17,333	17,348	16,365

Table 8.4b Production

Production	2021	2022	2023
Total home-fed marketings (thousand head)	14,010	14,436	14,415
Clean sheep and lambs	12,261	12,677	12,698
Ewes and rams	1,749	1,759	1,717
Average dressed carcase weight (kg)
Clean sheep and lambs	20	20	20
Ewes and rams	27	26	26
Production (dressed carcase weight, thousand tonnes)
Home-fed production	293	302	296
Value of production (£ million)	1,575	1,627	1,582
Value of home-fed production	1,572	1,626	1,603
Change in work in progress	3	1	-21
Less imported livestock	0	0	0
Plus breeding animals exported	0	0	0
Subsidies	7	7	7
Value of production at basic prices	1,582	1,634	1,589

Table 8.4c Prices (pence per kg dressed carcase weight)

Prices	2021	2022	2023
Finished sheep, Great Britain	576	566	578

Table 8.4d Supply and use (dressed carcase weight equivalent, thousand tonnes)

Supply and use	2021	2022	2023
Home-fed production	293	302	296
Imports from the EU	7	16	11
Imports from the rest of the world	52	52	45
Exports to the EU	75	82	86
Exports to the rest of the world	6	5	7
Total new supply	271	283	260
Home-fed production as % of new supply for use in the UK	108%	107%	114%

Notes:

1. Measures of home-fed marketings, dressed carcase weights, production and value include animals raised and slaughtered in the UK, excluding any animals removed from the food chain.
2. A valuation of the change in work-in-progress of animals to be slaughtered.
3. Value of production includes subsidies and taxes.
4. Includes meat from imports of live finished animals.
5. Subsidies comprising Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme.
6. Unweighted average of weekly prices at representative markets.

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Poultry and poultry meat

The overall value of home-fed poultry meat production increased by 12% to £3.5bn in 2023. This has been driven by an increase of 16% in the value of table chickens, which make up the majority of the sector. The price of poultry was largely responsible for this increase in value, with prices for table chickens rising by 15% to £1.71 per kg.

Overall, home-fed poultry meat production decreased by 0.8% to 1.97bn tonnes, with a 0.5% increase in table chicken meat production to 1.79bn tonnes. This overall decrease, despite a small increase in table chicken meat, is primarily driven by the continued decline in the production of turkey meat, which has decreased by 18% to 0.01bn tonnes.

Overall poultry populations have declined by 2.9% to 178 million head, with a 4.3% decrease to table chickens and 15% decrease to other poultry. This decrease in the populations has been partially offset by the increase of 2.5% to laying and breeding fowl. Placements of commercial broilers remain largely unchanged, having increased by 0.2% to 1.19bn chicks; turkey placements in the UK have also decreased by 22% to 10.7m chicks (see Poultry slaughter and hatchery statistics).

The UK production of poultry makes up 82% of total supply, with imports from the EU and the rest of the world making up 584 and 42 thousand tonnes respectively. Whilst imports from the EU remain relatively consistent with 2022 levels, imports from the rest of the world have increased by 51% between 2022 and 2023, they are now at the highest levels seen since 2005.

Tables 8.5a to 8.5d - Poultry and poultry meat

Enquiries: Sam Beale on +44(0) 7386 658427
Email: defra.fisu@defra.gov.uk

Table 8.5a Population (thousand head at June)

Population	2021	2022	2023
Total poultry	190,019	183,488	178,142
Table chickens	126,693	121,730	116,440
Laying and breeding fowl	52,839	52,463	53,792
Turkeys, ducks, geese and all other poultry	10,487	9,295	7,909

Table 8.5b Production

Production	2021	2022	2023
Slaughterings (millions)	1,194	1,162	1,171
Table chickens	1,172	1,143	1,153
Boiling fowls (culled hens)	49	43	39
Turkeys	12	10	9
Ducks & geese	10	9	9
Production (carcase weight thousand tonnes)	1,989	1,983	1,967
Chickens and other table fowls	1,770	1,783	1,792
Boiling fowls (culled hens)	70	64	59
Turkeys	125	117	96
Ducks & geese	23	20	20
Value of production (£ million)	3,035	3,168	3,542
Table chickens	2,480	2,642	3,063
Boiling fowls (culled hens)	7	6	6
Turkeys, ducks, geese	329	311	313
Change in work in progress in fowls	20	-11	-51
Exports of live poultry	167	179	186
Hatching eggs for export	75	84	80
Less live poultry imported	12	7	6
Less hatching eggs imported	22	30	43

Table 8.5c Prices (average producer prices, pence per kg dressed carcase weight)

Prices	2021	2022	2023
Chickens and other table fowls	140	148	171
Boiling fowls (culled hens)	10	10	10
Turkeys	186	192	228
Ducks	386	409	392
Geese	678	730	872

Table 8.5d Supply and use (dressed carcase weight equivalent, thousand tonnes)

Supply and use	2021	2022	2023
Production	1,989	1,983	1,967
Imports from the EU	462	588	584
Imports to the rest of the world	23	28	42
Exports to  the EU	237	172	135
Exports to the rest of the world	97	74	63
Total new supply	2,140	2,352	2,396
Production as % of new supply for use in the UK	93%	84%	82%

Notes:

1. Laying and breeding fowl includes hens and pullets kept mainly for producing eggs for eating.
2. Boiling fowls included with table chickens until 1994.
3. Production excludes offal.
4. A valuation of the change in work-in-progress of fowls to be slaughtered.
5. Poultry prices not available for 2021 & 2022. Estimated prices used to calculate a value.
6. Trade figures relate to trade in fresh chilled and frozen meat. There is significant trade in processed meats, (recorded in Chapter 16 of HMRC trade data) which are not recorded in the trade figures.

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Milk

Milk production for human consumption remained unchanged from 2022 to 2023, staying at 14.9 billion litres after two consecutive year-on-year decreases. The dairy herd fell by less than 0.5% to 1,837 thousand head, and the average yield per cow increased by 0.5% to 8,215 litres per annum.

The average milk price across the 2023 calendar year (excluding bonus payments) decreased by 10% to 39.4 pence per litre (ppl) from a historic high of 44.0 ppl in 2022, which was an increase of 42% from the 2021 price. The price decreases have meant the total value of milk production has decreased by 10% (£675 million), but this value is still the 2nd highest on record. Input costs began easing in late 2023.

Tables 8.6a to 8.6d - Milk

Enquiries: Sam Beale on +44(0) 7386 658427
Email: defra.fisu@defra.gov.uk

Table 8.6a Population and yield

Type	2021	2022	2023
Dairy herd (annual average, thousand head)	1,854	1,847	1,837
Average yield per dairy cow (litres per annum)	8,208	8,169	8,215

Table 8.6b Production

Production	2021	2022	2023
Milk from the dairy herd  (million litres)	15,214	15,088	15,090
Milk from the beef herd  (million litres)	[x]	[x]	[x]
Raw milk leaving farm	14,983	14,857	14,859
Milk processed on farm	90	91	92
On farm use	140	139	139
Volume for human consumption	15,073	14,949	14,951
Value of production (£ million)	4,769	6,659	5,983
Raw milk leaving farm	4,674	6,532	5,867
Processed milk products from farm	51	66	61
On farm use	44	61	55
Subsidies	[x]	[x]	[x]
Less levies	[x]	[x]	[x]
Value of production at market prices (£ million)	4,769	6,659	5,983

Table 8.6c Prices (average milk producer prices, net of delivery charges (pence per litre))

Prices	2021	2022	2023
Farmgate price excluding bonus payments	31	44	39
Farmgate price including bonus payments	31	44	39

Table 8.6d Supply and use (million litres)

Supply and use	2021	2022	2023
Production (excludes on farm use from 2015)	15,073	14,949	14,951
Imports	177	177	177
Exports	885	885	885
Total new supply	14,366	14,242	14,244
For liquid consumption	6,129	6,016	6,032
For manufacture	7,972	7,944	7,892
Butter	438	426	411
Cheese	4,703	4,844	4,837
Cream	326	326	380
Yoghurt	463	423	382
Condensed milk	343	337	350
Milk powders	1,003	948	943
Other products	696	639	590
Dairy wastage and stock change	266	282	319
Other uses	133	132	132
Production as a % of new supply	105%	105%	105%

Notes:

1. This is the average size of the dairy herd across the whole year, rather than the size at a particular time of year. From 2005 the dairy herd is defined as dairy cows over two years of age with offspring.  Until 2004 the dairy herd was defined as cows and heifers in milk plus cows in calf but not in milk, kept mainly for producing milk or rearing calves for the dairy herd.
2. Excludes suckled milk. Milk from beef cows is no longer recorded after 2016 as it is no longer considered significant.
3. Farmhouse consumption and milk fed to livestock.
4. Value of raw milk sold to other businesses (dairies) for processing.
5. Value of milk and milk products processed on farm and sold direct to the consumer.
6. Includes condensed milk used in the production of chocolate crumb and in the production of machine skimmed milk.
7. Includes farmhouse consumption, milk fed to stock and on farm waste. Excludes suckled milk.
8. [x] means data is unavailable.

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Hen eggs

The value of egg production for human consumption increased by 30% to £1,003 million; this is the 6th consecutive year-on-year increase. This large increase in value has been primarily driven by an increase in the price of eggs; a dozen eggs cost an average of 117.3p in 2023, which is an increase of 41% from a year before.  Enriched cage eggs rose by 28% and free range increased by 40%.    

The volume of eggs produced for human consumption fell by 8.0%.  Production of enriched cage eggs fell by 10% while free range eggs increased by 5%.

Turkey chick placements fell substantially in 2023 to 10.7 million chicks, a further decrease of 22%, which follows a 8.7% decrease between 2021 and 2022 (see Poultry slaughter and hatchery statistics).  

Egg imports continue to rise,  and have increased by 30% to 166 million  dozen from 2022; import levels are now similar to pre-2020 levels. Exports have decreased by 4.3% to 27 million dozen. The UK remains a net importer of eggs, with UK production making up 87% of supply.

Tables 8.7a to 8.7d – Hen eggs

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Email: defra.fisu@defra.gov.uk

Table 8.7a Population (thousands at June)

Population	2021	2022	2023
Number of laying fowl	40,568	40,442	41,073

Table 8.7b Production

Production	2021	2022	2023
Volume of production (million dozen)	1,150	1,075	996
Eggs for human consumption	1,001	929	855
Eggs for hatching	131	128	128
Other	18	18	13
Value of production of eggs for human consumption (£ million)	754	774	1,003

Table 8.7c Prices (pence per dozen)

Prices	2021	2022	2023
Weighted average of eggs graded in the UK	75.3	83.3	117.3

Table 8.7d Supply and use (million dozen)

Supply and use	2021	2022	2023
UK production of eggs for human consumption	1,001	929	855
Eggs sold in shell	882	818	752
Eggs processed	119	111	103
Imports from the EU	118	127	153
Imports from the rest of the world	1	1	1
Exports to the EU	34	27	26
Exports to the rest of the world	1	1	1
Total new supply	1,085	1,030	982
Production as % of new supply for use in the UK	92%	90%	87%

Notes:

1. Egg production figures have been revised following the publication of Total Income from Farming 2022. As such, the 2022 egg production and value of production figures quoted in table 8.7 in this dataset and in tables 8.7a-c in Chapter 8 will differ from those in Chapter 4 - Accounts.
2. Other eggs include hatching eggs for export and waste.
3. Eggs for hatching and hatching egg exports are not valued as they are included in the final value for poultry in table 8.4.
4. Represents the price paid by packers to producers in the United Kingdom and takes account of all egg systems - intensive, free range, barn and organic. Methodology changes: data up to and including 2011 excludes bonus payments, thereafter bonus payments are included.
5. Import and export figures include shell egg equivalent of whole (dried, frozen and liquid) egg, egg yolk and albumen.

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Revisions

Figures in these tables for 2023 are provisional and may be subject to revision. 

Revisions have been made to previous data due to on-going revisions caused by estimated survey data being replaced with actual data when it is received; survey respondents supplying amended figures for previous survey periods; changes to data supplied by Scotland and Northern Ireland and amended administrative data; updates to trade data supplied by HMRC; and methodological changes.