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Developing nations to drive world meat production growth: FAO
Story Date: 5/7/2012
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Source: MEATINGPLACE, 5/4/12
Global meat production will expand by about 2 percent in 2012, driven by gains in poultry and pig meat output primarily in developing countries, according to a report by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
FAO predicted the struggle for markets would intensify as increased production in key importing countries slows global meat trade expansion. International market shares are expected to shift toward developing countries, in particular Brazil and India, in part due to limited supplies in developed exporting countries.
“Developed countries may witness a second year of slipping output as profitability stumbles in the face of high input costs, stagnating domestic meat consumption and severe competition from developing countries,” the report said. It forecast total global meat production to rise nearly 2 percent to 302 million metric tons in 2012.
Drought in the United States, the major world meat exporter, and limited animal numbers in other exporting countries kept international meat prices near record levels in the first quarter of 2012. The FAO’s meat price index rose in April from March, supported by persistent gains in bovine and pig meat prices.
“Slowing global import demand and two years of stagnating consumption in developed countries may imply less price pressure in 2012; however, meat production this year will hinge critically on feed prices and the animal disease situation,” the report said.
FAO also predicted overall world food prices would ease in April, due to declines in some grain prices, after three months of increases. However, prices seem to have stabilized at relatively high levels, the organization said.
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