October 10, 2005

World meat production expected to rise in 2005

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization forecast world meat production for 2005 at 266.6 million tonnes, up 2.5 percent from the 2004 estimate. Significant increases in North American and Australian meat production were expected to more than offset lower EU production, where growth has been greatly limited by government policies over the past five years.

World beef production was forecast at 64.2 million tonnes for 2005, up 2.4 percent from 2004. Although cattle inventory numbers have fallen, developed countries were expected to increase beef production slightly. This was due to high cattle prices and forage constraints, which led to higher slaughter numbers of US and Australian cattle.

Meanwhile, FAO forecast 2005 world pork production at 102.7 million tonnes, up slightly from 2004. World sheep and goat meat production for 2005 was expected to rise 2.4 percent from 2004, to reach 13 million tonnes.

Australia's production growth was induced by the drought and New Zealand's breeding flocks have slightly risen in numbers along with continued productivity improvements, the FAO said.

Meanwhile, FAO expected world meat consumption in 2005 to rise 2.7 percent year-on-year to 41.9 kg per capita. World beef and pork consumption this year were expected at 10.1 kg per capita and 16.1 kg per capita, up respectively from 9.9 kg per capita and 15.9 kg per capita last year.