August 3, 2007

Brazil to account for a third of world meat exports by 2016

Developing countries are making their presence felt in world meat markets as their meat production is expected to increase for the next decade.

Brazil would account for nearly a third of global meat exports. Exporting 28 percent of the world's meat exports, the country would exceed the meat exports of Canada, US, Argentina or Australia.

Brazil, China and India are expected to drive increases in meat production in the next decade, when global production increases 1.7 percent per year, according to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2007-2016

Developing countries are forecast to represent 80 percent of the growth in meat consumption up to 2016, while consumption in high-income countries is only expected to increase marginally.

Total meat consumption will increase from 66.5kg/head in 2006, to 67.9kg/head by 2016, most of the increase coming from poultry.

While beef and sheep consumption in OECD countries is expected to fall 1.8 percent and 20 percent respectively, non-OECD countries are expected to see a rise of 12 percent and 12.5 percent respectively. 

Total beef and veal production is forecast to increase 16.4 percent from an estimated 65.6 million tonnes cwt in 2006, to 76.4 million tonnes cwt in 2016.

Pork production would see the greatest increase, rising 20.4 percent from 107.4 milion tonne to 129.3 million tonnes by 2016. Poultry production would follow closely, increasing 20.2 percent, from 81.9 million tonnes to 98.5 million tonnes.