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Agriculture: Cattle and pig slaughtering up in July; decreases reported for poultry, sheep and goats
The number of cattle and pigs slaughtered increased in July compared with the same period in 2025, while decreases were reported for poultry, sheep and goats, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS) data published on Thursday.
According to the quoted source, 44,000 cattle were slaughtered during the period under review, compared with 41,000 in July 2025, while the number of pigs slaughtered stood at 338,000, compared with 298,000 a year earlier. Furthermore, the total number of poultry slaughtered in July stood at 37.742 million, compared with 38.952 million in the same period of the previous year.
In the sheep and goat category, 219,000 head were slaughtered during the reference period, compared with 242,000.
As regards carcass weight, the INS data show that for poultry it decreased year-on-year, to 60,688 tonnes in July 2026, from 63,873 tonnes in July 2025. The same downward trend was recorded for sheep and goats, with carcass weight falling to 3,074 tonnes, from 3,544 tonnes.
By contrast, carcass weight increased for both pigs (29,564 tonnes vs 25,783 tonnes) and cattle (7,275 tonnes vs 6,801 tonnes).
The data for specialised industrial units (slaughterhouses) were obtained through exhaustive statistical surveys conducted by the INS, while data for individual agricultural holdings were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The information refers exclusively to slaughtering for consumption.
ACA calls for higher domestic honey consumption amid pressure from European, global markets
The honey market at European Union and global level is putting severe pressure on Romanian beekeepers, who need to find ways to increase domestic consumption and shorten the supply chain by encouraging consumers to buy directly from producers, Romanian Beekeepers' Association (ACA) President Razvan Coman said on Friday.
"The honey market at European Union and global level is practically choking us, and we somehow have to find an outlet, if not for 100%, then at least for around 50%, by increasing Romania's per capita consumption as much as possible and ensuring that consumers know they are buying a good product directly from the producer. This shortens the supply chain and keeps the price lower. This crisis, which we have been experiencing for four years, has to end somehow. I believe one of the ways to achieve this is through consumption in Romania, namely through a direct consumer-producer relationship," Coman said at the opening of the National Honey Fair.
The ACA president said weather conditions had been favourable to beekeepers in 2026 and described the year as "extremely favourable" for those who had properly maintained their bee colonies.
"This year, nature has indeed been on our side. For those who worked hard and took good care of their bee colonies, it has been an extremely favourable year, particularly for beekeepers whose colonies came through the winter in good condition and were properly maintained," he said.
Coman also said five legislative proposals concerning the beekeeping sector had been put forward over the past year and had reached Parliament.
He referred in particular to a proposed EUR 15 support measure which, after six months of debate and the adoption of legislation by the Romanian Parliament, could not ultimately be implemented following the process at European Union level.
"We are not stopping here; we are moving forward. That is our duty. There is also another legislative proposal concerning VAT on bee feed. Unfortunately, when there is no nectar available in nature, we have nothing else to feed them but sugar and, just as feed for other species benefits from a reduced VAT rate, I believe bees deserve the same benefit," the ACA president said.
Coman added that a tax exemption for vehicles specifically used in beekeeping had been abolished in the autumn of 2025 and that another legislative proposal seeking to address the issue was currently under consideration.
The autumn edition of the National Honey Fair is taking place from 11 to 13 September at the Institute for Beekeeping Research and Development in Bucharest.
A total of 94 exhibitors are attending the event, including beekeepers, honey processors and representatives of beekeeping associations.
According to the organisers, the fair seeks to increase public interest in bees, beekeeping and hive products, given the sector's importance for agriculture, the environment, health and a balanced diet.