Agriculture - 2nd quarter of 2015

Slaughtering and meat production
In Q2 2015 the number of slaughtered cattle was 56 393 heads, i.e. by 3.8% more than in Q2 2014. An increment was recorded for heifers (+11.4%) and cows (+9.4%) while the number of slaughtered animals decreased in the most important category – bulls (−2.5%). All over, this trend was reflected in beef and veal production increased by 3.5% to 16 738 tonnes.
The number of slaughtered pigs declined by 6.6%, y-o-y, and went up by 1.3% compared to Q1 2015. The pigmeat production reached 57 959 tonnes and went down by 4.4%, y-o-y, due to increased average slaughter weight (117.9 kg).
Poultrymeat production reached 38 960 tonnes and was by 3.6% higher than in Q2 2014.

Cattle, pig and poultry numbers
According to the results of the last survey in cattle as at the beginning of Q2 2015, the number of cattle in the Czech Republic was 1 407.1 thousand heads (+2.4%, y-o-y), of which 580.1 thous. heads were cows (+2.9%). An increase was recorded in beef cows (+6.6%) as well as for dairy cows (+0.9%), cattle less than one year old (+3.1%), and in bulls for fattening (+1.8%) while the number of mated heifers negligibly declined (−0.3%).
The number of pigs as at the same date decreased by 3.6% to 1 559.6 thous. heads; the number of sows went down under the hundred thousand level (96.3 thous. heads). Decrements were recorded in all main categories: by 9.0% for mated gilts, by 6.5% for sows, by 3.7% for pigs for fattening, and by 3.2% for pigs up to 50 kg of weight.
The number of poultry went up to 22 508.2 thous. heads, y-o-y (+4.9%). This increment was caused mainly by increased number of chicken both for breeding (+30.8%) and for fattening (+5.3%) while the number of hens fell by 6.8%. A distinct year-on-year increase was recorded also for ducks (to 589.6 thous, heads; +50.0%) whose farming shows a progressive trend during the last two years.

Agricultural producer prices of cattle, pigs and chicken for slaughter
In Q2 2015 agricultural producer prices of cattle for slaughter slightly increased in all categories: by 3.0% for bulls and cows, by 3.6% for heifers, and by 3.8% for calves.  The average price of bulls for slaughter was 47.45 CZK per kg of live weight or 86.36 CZK per kg of carcass weight. 
Agricultural producer prices of pigs for slaughter plummeted by 12.6%. Pigs for slaughter were sold on average for 28.69 CZK per kg of live weight or 36.87 CZK per kg of carcass weight.
Agricultural producer prices of chicken for slaughter almost didn’t change (−0.2%). The average price of chicken for slaughter in the first-quality class was 23.70 CZK per kg of live weight. 

External trade in live animals and meat
According to preliminary results, external trade¹⁾ in live animals in the period from March to May 2015 reached a positive balance in all three species: 15 573 tonnes for cattle, 5 934 tonnes for pigs, and 9 955 tonnes for poultry.
Imports of live cattle tripled, y-o-y, but they remained insignificant in comparison with exports. In total 3.5 thous. heads were imported – mainly young cattle from France – and 44.7 thous. heads were exported, of which 3.6 thous. heads were animals for breeding (+41.9%), 16.5 thous. heads for slaughter (−11.6%), and 24.6 thous. heads for further rearing (+31.4%). The greatest number of cattle was exported to Austria and Germany (animals for slaughter) and to Turkey (young cattle for further rearing).
Imports of live pigs amounted to 3 305 tonnes, i.e. by 30.6% less, y-o-y, and their exports to 9 239 tonnes (+44.0%). Although imports of piglets slightly increased to 81.0 thous. heads (+4.0%), their exports rose as well (to 19.9 thous. heads; +61.7%). Imports of pigs for slaughter distinctly plummeted (8.9 thous. heads; −61.4%) and their exports rose (71.3 thous. heads; +37.2%). A clear year-on-year change occurred also in trade with animals for breeding: both their imports and exports increased. Piglets were imported mainly from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, exports of pigs for slaughter went mainly to Slovakia and Hungary.
Compared to Q2 2014 imports of live poultry plummeted by 29.6% to 720 tonnes; their exports went slightly up to 10 676 tonnes (+1.3%). Exports of chicken and hens for slaughter declined by 4.6% (6 230.2 tonnes); they went mainly to Germany. Exports increased by 95.5% (274.9 tonnes) for ducks, all to Poland, and by 8.3% (29.7 million heads) for day old chicks, mostly to Slovakia. Imports declined in all categories except chicken for slaughter which recorded an increase by 6.2% (478.6 tonnes), all from Slovakia.
External trade¹⁾ in meat showed a negative balance for all types: −4 101 tonnes for beef, −54 230 tonnes for pigmeat, and −78 795 tonnes for poultrymeat; the deficit of external trade deepened in all three types.
Both imports and exports of beef increased; imports to 6 357 tonnes (+11.5%), and exports to 2 256 tonnes (+15.5%). Beef was imported mostly from Poland, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany; it was exported to Slovakia and the Netherlands.
In total 63 359 tonnes of pigmeat (+6.4%) were imported mostly from Germany but also from Spain and Poland; and 9 129 tonnes (−14.3%) were exported mainly to Slovakia.
Imports of poultrymeat increased to 27 724 tonnes (+26.3%) while its exports dropped to 7 260 tonnes (−10.0%). Poultrymeat was imported mainly from Poland and Brazil and exported to Slovakia.

Milk collection and agricultural producer prices of milk
In Q2 2015, dairies collected 627 947 thousand litres of milk from domestic producers, i.e. by 4.7% more than in Q2 2014.
Agricultural producer prices of milk fell by 16.6%, y-o-y. The average price of Q-quality milk was 8.15 CZK per litre.

External trade in milk and milk products
In external trade¹⁾ in milk and milk products, exports exceeded imports by 197 362 tonnes. Imports dropped to 67 287 tonnes (−11.2%), year-on-year, while exports went up by 6.1% to 264 649 tonnes. 
Imports of milk plummeted by 19.6% and its exports rose by 8.3%. Imports of cheese and curd declined (−6.4%); they went up for acidified milk products (+1.5%) and butter (+19.7%). Exports of milk products decreased: by 2.3% for acidified milk products, by 4.3% for cheese and curd, and to one half for butter. Trade with the European Union countries represented 99.9% of imports and 95.6% of exports of all milk and milk products. Compared to Q2 2014 the share on imports did not change and on exports rose only negligibly by 0.3 pp.

 1) Intrastat does not include individual trading operations carried out by persons who are not registered for VAT as well as reporting units below the applicable thresholds of CZK 8 million a year for both flows are not under reporting duty for Intrastat.

This press release was not edited for language.