France livestock slaughter head count: adult cattle
France livestock slaughter head count: adult cattle stood at 217.36 thousand heads in Aug 2026, according to Eurostat – slaughtering in slaughterhouses, monthly (apro_mt_pheadm), Agreste. It is one of the indicators in the Livestock production (monthly) table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1964 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Livestock production (monthly) table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult cattle3 | 217.36 | 225.17 | 224.05 | 202.76 | 235.75 | 243.75 | 222.76 | 234.44 | 251.83 | 238.62 | |
| Bullocks and bulls | 76.57 | 75.21 | 82.8 | 72.3 | 77.89 | 81.5 | 68.87 | 66.72 | 75.48 | 70.45 | |
| Cows | 100.77 | 107.37 | 97.52 | 88.09 | 108.68 | 112.6 | 111.81 | 123.87 | 129.13 | 122.97 |
Understanding france livestock slaughter head count: adult cattle
This dataset tallies the individual number of fully mature cattle processed in commercial slaughter facilities, measured in thousand heads. The scope encompasses all adult bovine demographics, including breeding bulls, castrated males, culled dairy cows, and mature female stock, while excluding calves and young developing cattle. By counting physical units rather than measuring mass, this indicator tracks the liquidation or turnover rate of the mature herd inventory. It stands apart from juvenile head counts by reflecting terminal production decisions.
Monthly figures reflect regular agricultural culling cycles, feed availability, and scheduled processing plant operations. Initial estimates are derived from rapid sample surveys and undergo standard revisions when complete administrative records are integrated. Analysts should evaluate trends using year-on-year comparisons to eliminate distortions caused by variable working days and holiday plant closures. This numerical measure should be evaluated alongside carcass weight data to assess whether average animal weights are rising or falling.
Frequently asked questions
- What animals are included in the adult cattle head count?
- It includes all fully mature cattle, combining cows, bulls, and bullocks while excluding calves.
- How does this series differ from cattle tonnage measures?
- It counts the exact number of animals processed rather than weighing the resulting meat.
- What creates revisions between preliminary and final data releases?
- Delayed paperwork submission from regional abattoirs requires updates to the initial head count.