Poultry Update October 25, 2013 12:00 am The latest figures released by DEFRA show that UK broiler slaughterings were 2.2% higher this month compared to September 2012, at 73 million birds. Turkey slaughterings however saw a fall of 17% at 12 million birds. Broiler liveweights were also up on last year from 2.20kg to 2.26kg. UK poultry meat output totalled 29,000 tonnes in September 2013, nearly 2% higher than the same month last year. Total poultry meat production for 2013 is up nearly 3.5% compared to the same point last year. Consumer demand for chicken is still strong with the pressure on household incomes. In other poultry news, the 2 Sisters Food Group have announced the closure of its Haughley Park roast poultry factory after a consultation failed to a find viable alternative to closure. The site is due to shut down on 15th November. Haughley Park employs 430 permanent staff and an additional 250 agency workers. The company is looking to redeploy 200 workers however 230 permanent staff now face redundancy. The company will retain its sites at Eye, Flixton, Witham, Basildon and Thetford.
