Russia-Meat production up-Livestock numbers down.

RUSSIA-MEAT PRODUCTION UP-LIVESTOCK NUMBERS DOWN.

Agricultural product volume increased by 2.6% to 71.4 billion rubles in Russia in January 2009, to compare with the corresponding period in 2007, Federal State Statistics Service of Russia (Rosstat) reports.

As of the end of January 2008, cattle stock in farms of agricultural producers totaled to 20.7 million heads, down 2% from the previous year. Cow stock was down 1.8% to 9 million heads; pig numbers grew by 2.7% to 16.2 million heads, and sheep and goat herd rose 2.3% to 20.7 million heads. Agricultural farms of the population represented 47% of total cattle stock, 37..9% of pigs and 53.1% sheep and goats.

Slaughter livestock and poultry production increased by 7.1% to 0.7 million tons for January 2009. Milk and egg production grew by 0.7% to 1.9 million tons and by 4.1% to 3 billion pcs, respectively.