UK cattle and sheep slaughter fell in September
Defra data also showed meat production below the level recorded in the same month of 2025.
Event / data period: 2026-09
Published: · Updated:
UK cattle slaughterings fell 6.5% year on year to 160,000 head in September 2026, while beef and veal production declined 5.4% to 73,000 tonnes. Sheep slaughterings dropped 6.3% to 914,000 head and mutton and lamb output fell 3.7% to 22,000 tonnes, according to figures published by Defra on October 15.
Pig slaughterings were down 1.1% at 890,000 head and pigmeat production edged 0.2% lower to 84,000 tonnes. The figures cover animals slaughtered for human consumption. Defra’s monthly statistics track slaughter numbers, carcase weights and meat output.
Data
UK cattle slaughter statistic
Source-reported indicator and period comparison.
- Annual change in September cattle slaughterings
- -6.5 percent
- 2026-09 · Observed
Methodology
The value follows the source-reported comparison. Any calculated value is identified in the description; source measures and reference periods are retained.
Updated:
Subjects and places
Subject proposals
- AgricultureSuggested
- Preserved editorial category/topic; broad candidate onlywww.gov.uk ↗
Geographic references
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- United Kingdom · Place role: Coverage · Place type: Country or area · Location precision: RegionalEvidence
- Explicit preserved editorial country/region; no city or national centroid inferredwww.gov.uk ↗