July 1, 2013

Bahrain's meat consumption may jump 50% during Ramadan

During Ramadan, Bahrain's meat consumption is expected to increase by 50%.

However, as the country produces less than 70% of the total red meat consumed and 25% of the demand for poultry, consumers should ensure food is not wasted, says a leading environmentalist.

"Over the years, the consumption of meat has increased in the kingdom and people have become more wasteful due to rise in income, living standards and affordability," said Supreme Council for Environment waste disposal unit head Rehan Ahmed.

"But affordability does not mean that wastage should increase." Ahmed said increasing meat consumption could have adverse consequences on the environment.

"Eating meat in average quantity is acceptable but overeating can cause severe environmental and health problems," he said.

"Unfortunately, the principle and aim of fasting and festivals are not taken in the right spirit. It is worth reminding ourselves that for every tonne of meat and food waste we avoid creating, we save four-and-a-half tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent."

Ahmed said the livestock industry was one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation, leading to air and water pollution as well as land degradation and climate change.

Meanwhile, the expert said Bahrain's food consumption was anticipated to grow 5% by 2015. It will grow from being 671,000 tonnes in 2011 to reach 814,000 in two years, with a study showing an increase at a rate of 4.6%.

The figures come as Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are soon expected to import up to 90% of food products.

"With only 2.9% of land arable and agriculture contributing to 0.5% of country's needs, Bahrain, like other GCC countries, is heavily dependent on food imports. With a growing population the GCC is increasingly depending on imports to meet food requirements," said Ahmed.