The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development released the Agricultural Outlook for 2014-2023. According to it, an increase in spending in the emerging countries will result in a soaring production of meat.
The report shows the production of different types of meat products will grow 23.3% (58 million tonnes) by 2023. At the same time, the lion’s share of the increase will fall to developing nations. Experts at the FAO say that the greatest rise will be contributed by the production of poultry (50%) as its price is most affordable. The share of pork, which is now the most consumed meat in the world, will account for 30% of global meat production, 14% will take beef, and 6% - mutton.
It is predicted that due to changes in consumer preferences towards increased consumption of meat, grain prices will continue to fall in the next two years, and then will stabilize at the levels of 2008, while prices for meat, milk and fish will grow.
Global cereal production will increase 15% over the next ten years, mainly due to crops that can be used for biofuel production.
“Cereals are still at the core of human diets, but growing incomes, urbanization and changes in eating habits contribute to the transition of diets that are higher in protein, fats and sugar. This changing structure of global agricultural production prompts a relative shift toward coarse grains and oilseeds to meet demands for food, feed and biofuel, away from staple food crops like wheat and rice,” the report reads.
A considerable 17% increase is to be registered in the fish sector. World fishery production will be driven primarily by gains in aquaculture. The FAO said farmed fish accounts for 40% of total fish products on the market.
Analyzing the agricultural situation in Eastern Europe, the authors of the report single Ukraine out saying it is to turn into one of the major players on the world food market over the next dozen years.
The outlook suggests Ukraine will become Europe's biggest exporter of grains leaving the EU and Russia behind. It also says the country will be the only European country with trade surplus in meat trade.
