UK Poultry and Poultrymeat Statistics - March 2004
By Defra - This monthly publication combines information from the UK Hatcheries Survey and Poultry Slaughterhouse Survey results together with other Defra statistics, and trade data, pulling all ‘official’ poultry statistics in one publication.Section 1: UK Hatcheries Data - Placings and Eggs Set
UK placings of commercial broiler chicks in February 2004 were 1% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 1.1). Eggs set were 2% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 1.5).
UK placings of female broiler parent chicks in February 2004 were 22% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 1.2).
UK placings of turkey poults in February 2004 were 24% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 1.3). Eggs set for commercial turkeys were 2% lower than for the same period in 2003 (Table 1.6).
UK placings of commercial layer chicks in February 2004 were 26% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 1.4). Eggs set for commercial birds were 33% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 1.7).

Chart 1.3: Monthly UK Turkey Poult Placings

Section 2: UK Trade in Live Poultry
For the period January to December 2003, imports of commercial broiler chicks were higher than for the same period in 2002, and exports were 56% lower (Table 2.1)
For the period January to December 2003, imports of turkey poults were 1% lower than for the same period in 2002, and exports were 16% lower (Table 2.2)
For the period January to December 2003, exports of live fowls were 27% lower than for the same period in 2002 (Table 2.3).
For the period January to December 2003, exports of live turkeys were 54% lower than for the same period in 2002 (Table 2.3).

Chart 2.2: Imports and Exports of Turkey Poults

Section 3: UK Slaughterhouse Data - Numbers Slaughtered and Average Weights
UK slaughterings of broilers in February 2004 were 2% lower than for the same period in 2003 (Table 3.1). At 2.26kg the average liveweights in England & Wales were 2% lower than in January 2004 (Table 3.4)
UK slaughterings of boiling fowls in February 2004 were 2% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 3.2). At 2.22kg the average liveweights in England & Wales were 2% higher than in January 2004 (Table 3.4).
UK slaughterings of turkeys in February 2004 were 24% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 3.3). At 15.90kg the average liveweights of 'heavy' turkeys in England & Wales were 3% higher and at 5.47kg the average liveweights of 'light' turkeys were 6% higher than in January 2004 (Table 3.4).

Section 4: UK Poultrymeat Production, Trade and Domestic Usage (Net of Offal)
Total UK poultry production for Q4 2003 was 7% higher than in Q4 2002, with broiler production 8% higher over the same period (Table 4.1).
For the period January to December 2003, UK imports of poultrymeat were 10% higher than for the same period in 2002, with whole birds 8% lower and cuts 14% higher (Table 4.2).
For the period January to December 2003, UK exports of poultrymeat were 19% higher than for the same period in 2002, with whole birds 1% higher and cuts 21% higher (Table 4.3).
UK domestic usage of poultrymeat in Q4 2003 was 2% higher than in Q4 2002 (Table 4.4).

Chart 4.3: Exports of Whole Birds and Cuts

Chart 4.4: Total Poultrymeat Imports and Exports

Section 5: Other Poultry Statistics
UK Production of compound feed for poultry in January 2004 was 17% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 5.1).
The Poultry Price Index for January 2004 was 9% higher than for the same period in 2003 (Table 5.2).
Link to main report
To read the full report, including tables (PDF - 14 pages, 735Kb) Click hereSource: Defra - March 2004