The Livestock Industry Report

Beef Committee Report

Concern over the declining trend in the local beef industry was one of the low lights of the agricultural sector.

The value of the sector in food security, land use, employment especially in rural areas and environmental protection are attributes that recommend its protection.

The accumulative loss being recorded by stakeholders and reliance on importation in recent years impacted negatively upon Jamaica’s balance of trade.

The Jamaica Livestock Association Limited will continue to be uncompromising in its effort to recommend the revival of the sector.

In 2009 a total of 21,009 head of cattle slaughtered yielding 5.43 million kilograms with dressed weight of 4.55 million kilograms entered the legal meat trade. When compared with 22,053 head of cattle yielding 5.99 million kg and a total dressed weight of 4.99 million kg in 2008.  

A decrease of 4.73% recorded in cattle slaughtered for the year under review.