Netherlands increases veal production in the second half of 2018
Dutch beef production has increased during the second half of last year to end the year up 9%. The increase has been almost entirely driven by an increase in veal production (0-8 months) and older, rose veal (8-12 months), observes Tom Forshaw, AHDB analyst.
In his opinion, the latest move in reducing the dairy herd in the Netherlands have added heifers that were meant to enter the herd into veal production. Official data show that 97% of the cow population consists of dairy cows. The Dutch dairy herd declined by 113,000 head (-7%) between December 2017 and December 2018.
Last year, total bovine meat production in the Netherlands was 476,000 tonnes, of which 279,000 tonnes came from calves and young cattle under 12 months of age. Even with an y-o-y increase of 9%in bovine meat production, exports have gone up only by 1% Shipments to the Netherlands’ top three markets (Germany, France & Italy) all increased year-on-year, although a number of important markets showed decline, such as Denmark (-6,000 tonnes), Sweden (-2,300 tonnes) and the United Kingdom (-4,800 tonnes).
Meanwhile, imports of fresh/frozen beef imports were up 2% (+9,400 tonnes) to total 412,000 tonnes. Deliveries from both Belgium and the United Kingdom have increased significantly in 2018, 22% (+11,000 tonnes) and 19% (+5,000 tonnes) higher respectively. Argentina has also made significant inroads into the Dutch market, although the product is possibly destined for further transit within the EU, according to AHDB report.
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