FAO Food Outlook: Meat and Meat Products

Modest growth in production in trade is expected for the rest of 2013 as importing nations produce adequate supplies and some meat exporters see a slight contraction in output, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
calendar icon 25 June 2013
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World meat production is anticipated to grow modestly in 2013, when it is forecast to reach 308.2 million tonnes, an increase of 4.3 million tonnes or 1.4 percent compared to 2012. In many countries, producers continue to struggle against elevated feed prices; however, although remaining high by historical standards, they began to fall during the second half of 2012 and continued to diminish during 2013. This has offered greater scope for profitable meat production, particularly in the pig and poultry sectors, which are the most dependent on concentrated feed. Meat production is anticipated to grow most vigorously in the developing countries, which are the main centres of demand expansion.

Fao International Meat Price Indices (2002-2004 = 100)

Meat prices have remained at historically high levels since the early part of 2011. The FAO Meat Price Index averaged 179 in May 2013, having moved within the narrow band of 177–179 since October 2012. Export reference prices for the different types of meat have followed varying directions so far this year, rising marginally for poultry and pork, remaining largely stable for beef and falling for ovine meat.

Meat trade is expected to grow more slowly in 2013 than in recent years, as a result of adequate national supplies in a number of importing countries and a reduction in production among some of the major exporters. Global meat exports are anticipated to reach 30.2 million tonnes in 2013, an increase of 1.1 percent over 2012.

World Meat Market at a Glance

June 2013

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