Slaughterings

With regard to calves, which constitute a dedicated usage group within the slaughter statistics, the volume of slaughtered fell, once more, to 80 200 units (-0.6%), which turned out to be again an all-time low in absolute terms. In a longer term view, for instance considering a period of around 20 years, the number of calves slaughtered has now more than halved.

Following a strong increase in 2008, the number of sheep and lambs slaughtered fell sharply to 290 000 units 9.0%) of which 122 000 slaughterings were investigated. Furthermore, during 2009 41 300 goats and kids (-4.5%) and 978 horses and foals (+8.3%) were slaughtered.

The meat yield for beef rose by 0.9% to 218 000 tons, for veal by 0.6% to 8 100 tons or, for pork by 1.4% to 540 000 tons and for horse by 4.3% to 201 tons, while mutton and lamb (7 300 tons or +27.5%) as well as the relatively insignificant category of goat meat (557 ton or -4.5%) showed decreases.

Methodological notes

The annual slaughter statistics provide information about the total number of farm animals of Austrian and non-Austrian origin slaughtered in Austria, and about overall meat production resulting therefrom. Monthly reports from the governmental meat inspection authorities on all investigated and evaluated slaughterings provide the basis for the statistics. With regard to pigs, sheep and goats, the present results also include non-investigated slaughterings. It should be noted that pigs, sheep and goats are excluded from the investigation requirement if the given carcass is consumed solely by the livestock owner, family members living in the household or company employees. The number of non-investigated pig slaughterings is calculated in conjunction with livestock surveys (in December or June of the year under review). The data for sheep and goats is based in its entirety on a model that simulates the anticipated progeny and incorporates estimates by experts in the field.

Meat production was calculated for each animal species or usage group by multiplying the number of slaughtered animals by the average carcass weight in each case. The latter figures were based on data provided by “Agrarmarkt Austria” that for sheep and goats was supplemented by experts’ estimates in conjunction with the above mentioned model.

Poultry slaughterings in 2009

In the reference year 2009 70.3 million chickens were slaughtered in Austrian abattoirs subject to reporting obligations which means an increase of 6.7% compared to the previous year. The volume of chicken meat rose to 89 906 tonnes (+5.9%).

Information on turkey, geese, ducks and guinea fowl production is notpublished for reasons of data confidentiality.

Notes on methodology

All poultry abattoirs that slaughtered at least 5 000 units in the previous year were obliged to submit data. The survey was conducted in accordance with Federal Law Gazette II Regulation No. 356/2003 (available in German only) in the relevant version.