Beef Production Flat for the Fifth Year Running

Lower beef production in the most developed countries will be compensated for by increased production in emerging economies, according to a new report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The Rome-based body said global meat production (of all kinds) would grow by almost 2% in 2012 to reach 302 million tonnes. But it said developing countries were now responsible for 60% of global meat production.
With reference to beef, the FAO said production has been hampered in 2012 by drought, high animal feed prices and political issues. With global production for this year estimated at 66.8 million tonnes, volumes of beef being produced across the world will be flat for the fifth year running, the organisation said.
According to the report, the US has the lowest number of cattle in 60 years, while herd sizes and slaughter numbers have also gone down in Russia, Ukraine and Mexico, again owing to drought.
Beef production in the European Union is at its lowest level since the 1960s.