Sheep meat production to fall 23%

Marts: A forecast that production of sheep meat within the EU is set to fall to 23% under market requirements within the next five years, should lead to a more positive outlook for producers.

According to the latest forecast from the EU, total sheep meat self sufficiency is expected to fall to 77% by 2008 as a result of the continued decline in the EU domestic production.

It is considered unlikely that there will be sufficient increase in the volume of imported sheep meat needed to offset the predicted decline in production.