Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Prospects good for increased meat consumption abroad


    While meat and poultry consumption appears to be on the decline in the U.S., the global prospects for growth in meat consumption are good, said John Anderson, American Farm Bureau Federation livestock economist.
    Anderson, presenting at the International Production and Processing Expo, explained that broiler production had steadily increased by about 3.5 percent annually, but that growth has leveled off. Pork production has also remained steady, while beef production has dropped.
    While production has dropped some due to the drought and high feed costs, decreased demand has also contributed. Eating habits have changed in the U.S., Anderson said, not only due to more ethnic diversity, but also because of economics.
    Anderson noted that while U.S. consumers have been resistant to accept rising prices, foreign consumers have not. He expects exports to continue to climb, and that can have an impact on the overall price that U.S. shoppers pay at the grocery store.
    “U.S. consumers are being outbid by foreign customers,” said Anderson.

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