Meat supply quadrupled, but distribution remains uneven, says FAO

The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) released a study that reveals that protein production has quadrupled in the last 60 years, but food distribution remains unequal.

The research analyzed data relating to proteins, milk and eggs between 1961 and 2022 and concluded that, in this period, the biggest jump was in the production of poultry meat, which increased fivefold, followed by eggs and pork, which doubled in volume.

Among the proteins analyzed, only beef remained stable over the six decades.

According to the study, protein production increased by 508%, jumping from 71 million tons to 361 million tons.

The production of milk, which reached 930 million liters (an increase of 271%), and eggs, which increased by 626% in the six decades and reached the level of 94 million tons in 2022, also showed a significant increase during the period.

Inequality in distribution
According to the FAO survey, there is currently a discrepancy between protein production and consumption.

Despite leading the production of these foods, Asia has "relatively low per person" availability. North America, which does not stand out in food production, leads the supply per capita.

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According to research, in these sixty years, the increase in production did not necessarily result in greater food availability.

The FAO report highlights that food waste also worsens inequalities. According to the organization, 14% of food of animal origin is wasted, mainly due to logistical factors.

Research also shows that these challenges are more frequent in low- and middle-income countries, which makes it difficult to consume proteins of animal origin.

In the study's assessment, another factor that hinders better distribution to developing countries is international trade. The research highlights that the volume sold represents only 10% of global consumption.

Food policy
The FAO study concluded that high- and upper-middle-income countries prioritize food security, quality and marketing regulation, while low-income and lower-middle-income countries prioritize increasing production, improving availability and reducing prices to increase accessibility and self-sufficiency.

The data also shows that higher-fat meats and dairy products often appear to be more accessible and cheaper than healthier alternatives.

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Source: CNN