March 2025 Slaughter Statistics: Comparative Trends and Carcass Definitions

In March 2025, compared to February 2025, both the number of animals slaughtered and the carcass weight increased for cattle, pigs, and sheep & goats, while they decreased for poultry.

When comparing March 2025 with March 2024, the number of slaughters and carcass weights increased for pigs, but decreased for cattle, sheep & goats, and poultry.

Definition of "Carcass"

• a) Cattle (Bovine) Carcass weight represents the weight of the slaughtered animal’s body, whole, after removal of the hide, blood, and internal organs, excluding the head, udder, tail, kidney fat, and feet (separated at the metacarpal and metatarsal joints).
• b) Pigs (Porcine) Carcass weight refers to the weight of the animal’s body, whole or split evenly along the spine, after bleeding and removal of internal organs, excluding hair, hooves, tongue, lard, and diaphragm.
• c) Sheep and Goats (Ovine and Caprine) Carcass weight refers to the weight of the slaughtered animal after bleeding and skin removal, excluding internal organs, head, and feet (separated at the metacarpal and metatarsal joints). The kidneys and kidney fat are included in the carcass.
• d) Poultry Carcass weight refers to the weight of the slaughtered bird after bleeding, excluding feathers, down, internal organs (intestines, liver, heart, gizzard), head, neck, and claws.

Average Carcass Weight