Animal Production - 1st quarter of 2026

"In the first quarter, meat production maintained its previous slight upward trend. Poultry production increased the most, responding quickly to consumer demand. Pigmeat production slightly increased, although producer prices of pigs for slaughter decline with slight fluctuations since mid-2023. In contrast, beef production declined again, as its long-term high producer prices are reflected in consumer prices resulting in a decline in its consumption," Renata Vodičková, Head of Agricultural and Forestry Statistics Unit of the CZSO, said.

Meat production and milk collection

In total 16 965 tonnes of beef were produced at slaughterhouses in Q1 2026 (by 1.5% less, y−o−y). It represents 53.8 thous. head of slaughtered cattle (−3.0%). Slaughtering decreased in all categories, with the most significant declines seen in calves (by 9.0%), bulls (by 3.8%), and cows (by 2.8%); at the same time, slaughter weight of these animals increased with bulls surpassing 700 kg. Pigmeat production amounted to 56 174 tonnes, i.e. by 2.9% more, y-o-y. In total 585.0 thous. pigs were delivered to slaughterhouses (+2.4%). Slaughtering of sows increased by more than one fifth, y-o-y, and by 13.7% compared to Q4 2025. Production of poultrymeat¹ amounted to 46 136 tonnes (+6.2%, y-o-y). Poultry slaughterhouses processed 30 195 thous. head of poultry (+3.9%). In total 838 556 thous. litres of milk (+4.0%) were purchased from domestic producers by first purchasers in Q1 2026, diaries bought 705 155 thous. litres (+3.1%) for processing.

Agricultural producer prices

In Q1 2026, agricultural producer prices of cattle for slaughter went up by 30.5%, y-o-y, in all categories surveyed; prices of calves and heifers for slaughter rose the most (+52.2% and +31.5%, respectively). For bulls for slaughter, farmers received on average 88.44 CZK per kg in live weight or 160.97 CZK per kg in carcass weight. Compared to Q4 2025, it was by further 1.55 CZK per kg in carcass weight more. Prices of pigs for slaughter plummeted, y-o-y, by 18.4%. Their average price reached 28.88 CZK per kg in live weight or 37.54 CZK per kg in carcass weight, i.e. by 5.43 CZK per kg in carcass weight less than in Q4 2025. Prices of chicken for slaughter went up by 8.2%, y-o-y. Chicken for slaughter of the first quality class were sold on average for 30.73 CZK per kg in live weight. Agricultural producer prices of milk were by 11.4% lower, y-o-y. The average price of Q‑quality milk reached 11.39 CZK per litre, by 1.96 CZK per litre less than in Q4 2025.

More detailed information on meat production in 2025 can be found in the supplementary information to the News Release on Animal production.