The number of bovine specimens slaughtered for local consumption in regional slaughterhouses in the first six months of this year grew by 3.5% compared to the same period of 2016.
 
Data from the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry on the evolution of the number of cattle slaughters in the Azores indicate that the specimens approved for local consumption between January and June of this year represent 50.1%, while in the same period of 2016 they represented 44.3 % of the overall slaughtering in the archipelago.
 
The number of animals approved for local consumption in the Region has been growing since 2015 and, this year, it is expected to increase 15%, compared to 2015.
 
Between 2015 and 2016, there was a significant improvement in carcass structure in the archipelago with an increase of 55% in specimens classified under the categories E, S and U, which are the most valued.
 
This indicator is the result of the efforts undertaken by Azorean producers in terms of genetics and improvement of specimens.
 
The increase in the number of tourists visiting the Azores also justifies the increase in the number of domestic meat consumption, which is very encouraging due to the direct impact it has on the regional economy.
 
The monthly publication of data on slaughter approved for consumption at regional slaughterhouses allows partners to anticipate the behaviour and the evolution of the sector. Therefore, this is another working tool place at the service of Azorean farmers to improve their income.