World meat industry news

Lamb consumption in Russia in the first half of the year decreased by 9.1%, to 56.4 thousand tons, according to the data of the National Union of Pig Breeders. This is the most notable drop in sales of all types of meat. Thus, sales of poultry meat over the same period decreased by 2%, to 2.4 million tons, beef - by 1.3%, to 755 thousand tons. Pork consumption increased by 5.2% to 1.93 million tons.

Agrifood Strategies President Albert Davleev suggests that the decline in mutton sales was  associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: about 95% of this type of meat is sold through markets and off-chain points of sale, which were closed in the first place.

The expert says that the second possible reason for the drop in demand is the switching of consumers from relatively expensive beef and lamb to a cheaper alternative - poultry and pork. According to Mr. Davleev, mutton sales are already returning to the level  before the pandemic.