More Broilers, Fewer Turkeys in June 2010 Census

ENGLAND - The latest National Statistics produced by Defra from the June Census of Agriculture and Horticulture in England reveals an 8.5 per cent increase in the number of poultry (at 125 million) compared to the year before.

10 December 2010

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According to the census report, total poultry numbers have increased by 8.5 per cent to around 125 million. This indicates strong growth in the sector, which may be due to an increased demand for cheaper meat and fast-food during the recession. Indeed, table chickens have increased by 6.9 per cent and continue to dominate the industry, accounting for 63 per cent of total poultry.

Meanwhile, the number of turkeys has fallen by 11.6 per cent to 3.6 million owing to a long-term reduction in turkey sales.

Poultry on agricultural holdings on 1 June (thousands; a)
	2009 published	2009 revised (b)	2010	% change 2010/2009 (c)	June 2010 Confidence Interval	Indicator (d)
Total poultry	121,855	115,320	125,173	+8.5	± 3,577	***
Total breeding and laying fowl	33,119	31,060	35,630	+14.7	± 1,397	***
Table chickens (broilers)	77,684	73,679	78,788	+6.9	± 3,243	***
Other poultry	11,053	10,581	10,755	+1.6	± 575	**
– Ducks	2,553	2,451	2,358	-3.8	± 213	**
– Geese	127	116	122	+5.8	± 15	*
– Turkeys	4,220	4,094	3,620	-11.6	± 305	**
– All other poultry	4,153	3,920	4,655	18.7	± 438	**
(a) Due to production cycles, subgroups within the poultry population are often volatile as the 'point in time' nature of the June Survey can lead to large variations in the numbers in each category. (b) 2009 results have been revised to be on a comparable basis with 2010. (c) Compared to 2009 revised results (d) Indicator: Relative Standard Error (RSE); * RSE <2.5%; RSE 2.5-5.0%; * RSE 5-10%