New Zealand: Poultry production up in Q1

Primary industry statistics for the first quarter of 2012 (until March) show an upward trend in New Zealand poultry production.

The total amount of pork produced in this timeframe increased by 4.4% to reach 41,049 tonnes carcass weight – from 39,335 in 2011.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has released a new combined primary industry quarterly report, comprising production and trade statistics for the dairy, meat and wool, forestry and seafood industries.

The primary sector continued to be an economic driver, with total primary sector exports accounting for 71% of all merchandise exports in the year to March 2012.

MPI reports favourable climatic conditions led to a continuation of better-than-usual pasture growth during the March 2012 quarter. As a result, farmers achieved near-record carcass weights for slaughtered livestock and an 11.5% increase in milk solids’ production, compared with the same quarter in 2011.

Table 1. Meat and wool production New Zealand, Jan-March 2012.

Volume (tonnes carcass weight)	March quarter
	2011	2012	% change
Beef and veal	176,391	178,806	1.4%
Lamb	123,876	126,880	2.4%
Mutton	48,138	43,765	-9.1%
Poultry	39,335	41,049	4.4%
Pig	12,163	12,669	4.2%
Goat	249	191	-23.3%
Horse	154	115	-25.2%
Total	400,305	403,475	0.8%