Global meat production rises, trade slows - FAO

According to the latest FAO forecast, meat production is expected to increase this year. UN experts expect an increase in world meat production by 2.2% to 346 million tons. China , Brazil, Vietnam, the US and the EU will be the main regions where production growth is expected this year. On the contrary, production declines are expected in Australia, the Philippines and Argentina.

Pork production will increase by 4.2% to 114 million tons. However, this figure is still 5% below the level of 2017, before the ASF crisis affected almost all countries in Asia. Most of the expected increase is due to a recovery in Chinese production, which is expected to reach 46 million tonnes, up 10% from 2020 and 85% from pre-ASF levels. World beef production will also rise slightly, by 1.2%, to 72 million tons. Overall growth is expected, especially in the US, Brazil and China. Global mutton production is estimated to rise by about 1% to 16 million tons. Again, China is expected to be the source of much of this growth.

On the contrary, in 2021 the global meat trade is projected to stagnate, which will amount to 42 million tons in carcass weight. The pork trade could shrink this year, falling 0.6% to 12.8 million tons. An 8% decrease in purchases from China is expected , as well as a moderate decrease in imports from Vietnam, Canada and the UK.

Global mutton trade is also projected to decline by 0.8% this year to just over 1 million tons. Supply restrictions in New Zealand and the UK will cause import cuts in the Middle East as well as the US and EU. Chinese imports are expected to continue to grow.

And this fact will be taken into account when preparing the monthly analytical report Meatinfo.ru

Global beef trade is projected to pick up slightly this year, up 1.1% to 12 million tons, as China needs more beef imports in the second half of the year. According to the FAO report, Brazil, Uruguay, Canada and the US will strengthen their positions in this market.