Tike statistics show that more meat was produced last year in Finland than ever before: 398 million kilos. Production increased by almost four percent from 2006. Pork and broiler meat production was at record levels. Beef production grew for a second consecutive year - although it has never been this low since the 1960s. Nominal meat prices rose on the previous year. Real prices, on the other hand, remained 14 - 26 percent below the top prices in the last decade.

Beef production continued at record low levels despite slight growth
Last year's total beef production was 88 million kilos, or slightly under two percent more than in 2006. In the first half-year, production rose by almost seven percent compared to the corresponding period the year before, but declined in the second half-year by about three percent.

About 301,000 heads of cattle were slaughtered, which was about 3,000 fewer than the previous year. Quantities of bulls (+ 3%) and heifers (+ 5%) slaughtered were up, while those of cows were down (- 7%) from the year 2006. On the other hand, carcass weights of the animals were up: bulls to 333 kilos, heifers to 237 kilos, and cows to 270 kilos.

During the reference period starting in the 1970s, the lowest beef production has been in the past three years. Most beef, about 125 million kilos, was produced in the mid-1980s. At that time, the number of cattle slaughtered was almost double compared to recent years, but the carcass weights were considerably lower than today.

Beef producer prices have risen for the third consecutive year. Producers were paid for bull and heifer meat around four percent more last year than in 2006. The price rise of cow meat was more modest (+ 2%).

Over the last ten years, beef prices were at their peak in 1998. In terms of nominal prices, the price of bull meat reached the 1998 level last year, while cow (- 14%) and heifer meat (- 2%) prices fell short of it. When nominal prices are converted into real prices using the consumer price index, price development looks weaker than this: in 2007, the real price of bull meat was 14 percent, heifer meat 15 percent, and cow meat all of 26 percent lower than in 1998.

Pork production broke records for the fifth year running
Pork production increased for the fifth consecutive year to reach a new record - 213 million kilos of pork was produced last year. Production grew by a good two percent from the previous year. Over 2.4 million pigs were slaughtered, or two percent more than in 2006. The average carcass weight of fattening pigs rose by half a kilo to 85 kilos.

Pork production has continued in steady growth in this millennium. The growth has been relatively even at a good two percent per annum on average. Last year, almost a quarter more pork was produced than in 2000.

There was a slight upturn in pork producer prices last year. Producers were paid 136 euros per hundred kilograms for pork, i.e. five percent more than in 2006. Over the last ten years, the nominal pork price reached its peak in 2001. Last year's price level was 12 percent lower than this. Converted to real prices, the difference is even greater: last year's price fell 18 percent short of the 2001 price.

Growth of broiler meat production accelerated and producer price took an upturn
Last year¿s poultry meat production totalled 95 million kilos. Buoyed by the increased broiler production, it grew by more than eight percent from 2006. Broiler meat production increased by more than ten percent to 82 million kilos, while turkey meat production declined by seven percent to 11 million kilos. The number of broilers slaughtered was only a little higher than the year before or 53.3 million heads, while the average carcass weight rose by ten percent to 1.5 kilos. Poultry production has increased by almost 50 percent in the current decade.

There was an upturn in broiler meat price last year, after a decline lasting four years. Producers were paid 114 euros per hundred kilograms for broiler meat, i.e. five percent more than in 2006. Over the last ten years, the nominal broiler meat price reached its peak in 2002. Compared to this, the 2007 price level was down by five percent. Real price development has remained weaker: the 2007 price was 11 percent lower than that of 2002.

Data on slaughterings in abattoirs and meat producer prices are based on surveys conducted among abattoirs. The data on home slaughterings are collected from farmers through an annual farm survey conducted as a sampling survey. Quantities of slaughtered beef stock in abattoirs and on farms are obtained from the Bovine Register, which is a part of the Rural Business Register.

Additional information
Price statistics: Researcher Elina Seppälä, tel. +358 (0)20 77 21313
Production statistics: Actuary Sanna Vuorisalo, tel. +358 (0)20 77 21379
Email: firstname.lastname@mmmtike.fi


Ordering information
Statistical information is published in Tike's Matilda information service: www.matilda.fi. Monthly reports on the abattoir statistics are also available, and may be ordered by telephone on +358 (0)20 77 21 208 or by email: tietopalvelu@mmmtike.fi