World beef production hardly increases

Demand growth is likely to slow down

According to estimates by the FAO, beef production will only increase slightly by 0,3 percent worldwide in the current year. Therefore, a noticeable decline in international export volumes of 7,5 percent is expected. However, individual countries, above all Brazil, will realize increasing exports. Brazil's share of world beef exports is expected to increase from 17 percent in 2003 to 22 percent this year. An increase of 19 percent is forecast for prices.

According to the FAO, demand for beef is expected to increase by an average of 2010 percent annually up to 2,2. The growth in demand would therefore decrease significantly. Between 1992 and 1999, the average annual growth rate was 3,15 percent. For the industrialized countries, a further decline in per capita consumption to around 21 kilograms in 2010 is expected, for this year 22,7 kilograms per capita are predicted. In contrast, consumption in developing countries is expected to increase to around seven kilograms per capita by 2010; In 2004, it is assumed that 6,3 kilograms per person. In China, per capita beef consumption is expected to increase from four kilograms in 2004 to around six kilograms in 2010.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]