Cattle slaughterings increased by 15.4% in June compared to the same month in 2019, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

In livestock slaughtering data released today, Tuesday, July 28, the CSO also recorded figures for sheep and pig slaughterings, which both also saw large increases.

Cattle going through the processors increased from 142,500 head in June 2019 up to 164,400 last month, the figures note – a rise of 21,900 head.

Meanwhile, the number of sheep went from 231,300 head in June last year, up to 279,100 animals – an increase of 20.6% or 47,800 animals, according to the office.

Finally, pig throughput in factories went from 257,700 animals up to 297,200 between June 2019 and June 2020 – a rise of 15.3% or 39,500 animals.

First 6 months of 2020

However, when comparing the year to date from January to June 2020, compared to the same six months last year, the figures paint a different picture.

During this time-frame, cattle slaughterings decreased by 4.4%, meaning throughput for the year to date is still down on the same period last year, according to the CSO.

Some 916,100 head of cattle were slaughtered during the first six months of 2020, compared to 957,900 from January to June 2019.

However, sheep slaughterings increased by 4.8% during this window of time, rising from 1,361,900 animals for the six months in 2019, up to 1,427,600 for the first half of 2020.

Meanwhile, pig slaughterings also recorded a modest increase of 0.7%, the CSO notes, going from 1,719,900 pigs for the first half of 2019, up to 1,731,500 for the first half of 2020.