January 2, 2024

Iran's red meat output down 30% during October 23 - November 21, 2023 period

Iran's production of red meat stood at 37,147 tonnes in the eighth month of the current Iranian calendar year (October 23-November 21, 2023), showing a 30% fall compared to the same month in the past year, the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) reported.

As reported, beef and veal had the lion's share in the country's red meat output during the eighth month with 19,423 tonnes, followed by lamb and mutton with 13,803 tonnes, goat meat with 2,888 tonnes and red meat from other livestock with 1,033 tonnes.

Supply of red meat in the eighth month also fell 4% from the seventh month.

In mid-July, Afshin Sadr-Dadras, chairman of the National Union of Light Livestock Producers, stressed the need to support domestic producers of red meat.

Sadr-Dadras said that the subsidy that is allocated to support consumers for imported meat should be allocated to support domestic production.

He reiterated that the country's livestock industry needs serious support, adding that if the problem of the livestock industry is not taken seriously due to the lack of liquidity of the producers, there is a possibility of a decrease in production in the second half of the current Iranian calendar year (September 22, 2023 - March 20, 2024).

The major portion of Iran's red meat imports comes from countries like Brazil, where Iranian supervisors directly control culling methods to ensure they comply with religious rules.

- Tehran Times