Meat Production Decreased Significantly for the First Time in 20 Years

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization forecasts a decline in world meat production because of the African swine fever virus, which catastrophically reduced the number of pigs worldwide, writes “Agro-Center”.

According to Food Outlook, cattle, sheep, poultry and pig meat production is estimated to be 335 million tons in weight equivalent, which is 1.0 percent less than the previous year.

The decrease is driven by an estimated 20 percent reduction in pork production in China. But the number of poultry in China has grown rapidly and is expected to increase by 17 percent.

Usually, pork occupies a third of the world’s meat production, poultry – 39 percent, and cattle – 21 percent.