The number of cattle slaughtered in the month of August increased by 12.9% compared to the figure for the same month of 2019, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Last month, 152,700 head of cattle were slaughtered, compared to 135,300 head in August 2019. This equated to some 52,700t in carcass weight, an increase on around 46,000t in August 2019.

Over the period January to August 2020, the amount of cattle slaughtered was 1% lower than in the same period for 2019.

Month-on-month, the number of cattle slaughtered saw a decrease from the July 2020 figure, which was 172,800 head.

Turning to sheep, around 250,500 head were slaughtered in August 2020, which is a 12.7% decrease on the figure for the same month of 2019, which was some 287,000 head.

The total carcass weight for sheep slaughtered last month was 5,200t, a decrease from the 6,000t figure for August 2019.

Over the period January to August 2020, the amount of sheep slaughtered was 4.4% higher than the same period for 2019.

Month-on-month, the number of sheep slaughtered last month was a decrease from the July 2020 figure of 346,800 head.

For pigs, the number of animals slaughtered in August 2020 was 277,200 head, a decrease of 3% on the 285,900 head figure for August 2019.

In terms of carcass weight, the figure for last month was 24,900t, a slight increase on the 24,800t figure for August 2019.

Over the period January to August of this year, the amount of pigs slaughtered increased very slightly compared to the same period of 2019 – up 0.4%.

Month-on-month, the amount of pigs slaughtered in August this year was down on the 28,000 head figure for July.