FAO: Global meat production to grow in 2024, led by poultry
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recently released its annual report on food product outlooks for 2024. The report highlights a diverse landscape in the livestock sector, with varying production trends across different regions.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recently released its annual report on food product outlooks for 2024. The report highlights a diverse landscape in the livestock sector, with varying production trends across different regions. Let’s delve into the key findings:
Overall meat production trends
According to the FAO, global animal protein production is expected to reach 371 million tons by next year. This growth is driven by positive numbers in most regions, except Asia, where a notable decline is projected due to reduced pork processing in China.
Poultry leading the way
The most significant increase is anticipated in the poultry sector, specifically chicken meat.The FAO predicts a 0.8% year-on-year growth, adding 1.1 million tons to reach a total of 146 million tons. This surge is fueled by strong consumer demand, as chicken remains affordable despite inflationary pressures worldwide. However, the industry still faces challenges, including outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
Stability in global chicken meat production is subject to significant local adjustments. Low production in the United States has been largely offset by increases in production in the European Union and the United Kingdom. On the other hand, two other major poultry producers, Brazil, and China, have kept their production forecasts unchanged, which contributes to maintaining the balance in world supply.
FAO and OECD estimate that total poultry meat consumption will reach 91 million tons by 2032, thanks to the social perception of this food, the lower price of poultry meat compared to other types of meat and the fact that it contains a healthy combination of protein and low fat.
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Compensatory adjustments among major producers and exporters will determine overall stability in global poultry meat production by 2024. Furthermore, global poultry meat consumption will remain very strong, and it is expected that the top 3 producers, China, Brazil, and USA will continue to be key players in the international market, despite country-specific challenges.
Beef production on the rise
Beef production is also set to rise by 0.7% in 2024, adding 0.5 million tons. This growth is attributed to the availability of cattle for processing. However, economic gains are not expected to be significant due to high beef prices.
Pork prospects in China
The global pork production is projected to decrease by 0.9%, resulting in a drop of approximately 1.2 million tons compared to 2023. This decline is primarily due to China’s efforts to control local oversupply and stabilize internal prices.
In summary, while poultry takes the lead, beef production shows modest growth, and pork faces challenges in China. The FAO’s report provides valuable insights for policymakers, producers, and consumers as they navigate the evolving landscape of meat production.
