Number of livestock slaughtered in the UK - Data and Analysis (2000-2032)

IBISWorld forecasts that the number of head of livestock slaughtered will grow at a compound annual rate of 5.3% over the five years through 2025-26, to reach 36.3 million heads. The number of livestock slaughtered each year is determined by a number of factors including meat consumption, the price of animal feed, the price of imports and exports, the prevalence of disease in livestock and the popularity and availability of alternatives, in particular chicken.Poor economic conditions tend to result in lower number of livestock being slaughtered as consumers either eat less meat or substitute red meat for chicken. The number of livestock slaughtered dipped in 2016-17 as both the numbers of sheep and pigs slaughtered fell over the year. However, the weakness of the pound over the following year increased demand for British meat and consequently drove an increase in the number of livestock slaughtered, as British meat became comparatively cheaper in international markets. In 2018-19, demand for meat produce fell due to economic uncertainty, causing the number of livestock slaughtered to fall. However, demand returned to following year, as a result of improving economic activity.In 2020-21, sheep accounted for the majority of livestock slaughtered, constituting about 50.4% of livestock slaughtered, followed by pigs (39.7%), and calves and cattle (9.9%). Due to the amount of meat retrievable per head of cattle, the number slaughtered is relatively small compared to the number of sheep and pigs slaughtered.In 2020-21, the number of livestock slaughtered rose by 2.5%. The COVID-19 pandemic forced food service and catering establishments to close due to lockdown restrictions which were introduced in March and later in November 2020. The measures lasted till April 2021, which weighed on the number of livestock slaughtered. In April 2021, lockdown measures were eased with outside dinning allowed at full capacity. Firms in these sectors have reported higher than average demand due to more people holidaying in other parts of the UK. This resulted in the number of livestock slaughtered rose by 4.4% in 2021-22. The number of livestock slaughtered shot up indignantly in 2022-23 aided by rising exports despite a rise in inflation. However, the high cost of living means customers are seeking alternatives, bringing down domestic orders and the number of livestock slaughtered.