World meat industry news

The total consumption of meat and fish at a global level is expected to increase by 15% between 2018 and 2027, while meat and fish consumption at a per capita level is to rise by only 3% in the mentioned period, according to a new report launched by the OECD and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

 The report says that there is expected to be stark variations across region regarding meat and fish consumption.

Sub-Saharan Africa is forecasted to be the region with the strongest growth in total consumption due to a rise in the number of inhabitants, here per capita consumption is expected to decline by 3%.

On the other hand, the report underlines the fact that per capita consumption growth is higher in India (+12%, albeit from a low base) and China (+13%).

Meat consumption is expected to record higher growth levels in the developed world based on lower prices. The report states that here meat consumption will rise by 2.9 kg per capita over the outlook period.

A growing gap thus exists with developing countries, which expand availability by 1.4 kg/capita.

"This smaller expansion is partly a reflection of income constraints, supply chain issues in some areas (e.g. lack of a cold chain infrastructure) and, in some regions, dietary preferences where protein is obtained more from non-meat sources," the report states.