Meat production registered a slight drop during the fourth quarter of 2006. During that quarter, total meat production in Malta amounted to 3,832 tonnes, representing a drop of 0.3 per cent over the comparative period last year.

Whereas beef and broiler meat production rose by 2.2 per cent and 11.3 per cent respectively, the overall decline was due to a drop in pig-meat production by 5.6 per cent.

The total slaughtering producer value for the period under review increased by 0.4 per cent to stand at Lm2.7 million over the same quarter in 2005. Underpinning this result is a decrease of 5.6 per cent in the producer value of pigs slaughtered, offset by increases in the producer value of cattle and broilers by 12.8 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively.

The total meat production for 2006 amounted to 13,600 tonnes, down by 8.4 per cent from 14,800 tonnes in 2005. Declines in the number of pigs (–4.3 per cent) and broilers (–3.8 per cent) slaughtered, resulted in a drop in pig meat and broiler meat by 7.6 per cent and 12.9 per cent respectively. The total slaughtering producer value for this period stood at Lm9.7 million, a drop of 6.6 per cent over the last year, resulting from fewer pigs and broilers slaughtered.