BELGIUM

Belgium: Increased production of cattle and chickens in 2024

In 2024, 809,000 bovine animals, 310.5 million poultry and 9.4 million pigs were slaughtered, which is 4.9% more bovine animals, 2.9% more poultry and 0.4% more pigs than a year earlier.

Posted on Mar 01 ,00:05

Belgian statistical office. In terms of weight, pigs account for the largest share (54%). Chickens register the highest numbers, with 25.8 million chickens slaughtered per month. Furthermore, 783,000 pigs, 67,400 bovine animals, 58,600 turkeys, 5,600 sheep, 4,300 other poultry, 2,400 ducks, 2,200 goats and 130 horses were slaughtered every month in Belgium.

Increase in cattle and chickens

Over the year 2024, 809,000 bovine animals were slaughtered. This is an increase of 5% compared to the previous year. After a slight increase in 2023, the rising trend has been confirmed in 2024.

The poultry sector also registers a slight increase (3%). In total, 310.5 million poultry were slaughtered in 2024 versus 301.6 million in 2023. This is the highest number since registrations began in 2008.

Stabilisation for pigs

After a sharp decrease of 11% in the number of pigs slaughtered in 2023, that number remained the same in 2024. In 2024, 9.4 million pigs were slaughtered, as in 2023. One positive note is that the Belgian pig sector did achieve a higher slaughter weight than in 2023; a slight increase of 2%.

Pigs register the highest weight

• Historically speaking, the pig sector remains the most important supplier of slaughtered animals in terms of weight (54%). In 2024, this is 945 million kg of slaughter weight.
• The chicken sector accounts for 31% of the slaughter weight, with 531 million kg.
• The bovine sector has a share of 14% in terms of weight, with a total of 249 million kg.

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