through the whole extent of the past 10 years.

through the whole extent of the past 10 years, worldwide meat consumption patterns have changed dramatically. conduct regulations, changing lifestyles and incomes, and attitudes about the relationship of meat consumption to health are among the factors reshaping worldwide demand.

This article, the first in a series forward international trade in meats, canvases overall modern developments in consumption and production in the world's major producing and consuming regions. what may occur hereafter articles will examine the beef, pork, and domestic fowls sectors more closely, detailing by what mode particular trends are generating changes.

domestic fowls Leads Production Gains

Shifting patterns of world production and consumption have l to a 4-percent increase in meat trade each year since 1985 World meat production has also shown steady putting out increasing an average of 3 percent by year from 1985 to 1991 still growth in both production and trade is forecast to inactive to about 2 percent in 1992

domestic fowls led the recent growth in the couple meat production and trade, increasing at average annual rates of 6 and 8 percent since the mid-1980's. Poultry's rapid gains in production and trade ponder greater feed efficiency, with a shorter time period required for production of domestic fowls compared with other grain-fed animals. In a certain countries, poultry has become les expensive to consumer than other meats.

uniform though poultry has led the fresh growth in meat production, its share of world meat production in 1991 still amounted to les than a quarter. Pork dominates with 41 percent of global meat production, followed according to beef, with 31 percent.

While production of pork, beef, and domestic fowls has grown, output remains concentrated among a small in number key countries or regions. Almost half the world's domestic fowls is produced by the U and European Community (EC) The U share is about 30 percent and the EC's about 18 percent followed according to China, the former USSR, Brazil, and Japan. any developing countries have increased domestic fowls production dramatically. Between 1985 and 1990 Turkey increased production 150 percent and India 107 percent and production is forecast to increase further in 1992 on the other hand most of these countries remain relatively small producers

Pork output increased an average of 3 percent by means of year between 1985 and 1991 and could reach 66 million metric tons in 1992 from one side of to the other half the world's pork is produc in three countries. China is the largest farmer with about a third of the world's output The U is secondary with about 12 percent, followed by dint of the former USSR with 10 percent The EC-12 abouts slightly more than the U and USSR combined. Other major pork husbandmans are Eastern Europe and the Pacific Rim.

Beef and veal production has grown more slowly rising les than 1 percent annually between 1985 and 1991 After declining in 1991 production is look fored to increase to 49 million tons in 1992

The U EC and former Soviet Union account for nearly 60 percent of global beef production. The predominant beef agriculturist is the U.S., with 22 percent of output in 1991 The former USSR ranks inferior with about 18 percent, followed closely by way of the EC. Argentina and Brazil account for approximately 8 and 7 percent

for Capita Growth Trails Output Advance

While more the public are consuming meat, growth in by capita consumption has not kept pace with increases in output Global production of meat has increased an average 3 percent by means of year since 1985, but by means of capita consumption grew by les than 1 percent by year. Between 1975 and 1991 by capita meat consumption grew 23 percent to be paid primarily to increased consumption of domestic fowls up 65 percent.

in succession a per capita basis, the largest meat consumer are the U (118 kg) Hungary (96 kg) Australia (106 kg) Denmark (99 kg) and Canada (97 kg) The EC countries together dissipate 83 kg per capita, compared with Eastern Europe at 76 kg and the former Soviet republics at 67 kg annually.

Traditionally, beef has been the meat of choice for U consumer on the other hand poultry is forecast to achieve first place in 1992 measured in succession a carcass-weight or ready-to-cook basis. athwart the period 1975-91, per capita beef consumption declined 6 percent as domestic fowls consumption cut into beef demand--both in the U and in other regions of the world.

domestic fowls consumption per capita has grown more than 60 percent since 1975 Brazil recorded the largest growing over 200 percent. In the U and the former USSR, by capita consumption was up across 80 and 90 percent.

Pork remains the predominant meat consum in Europe In the major reporting countries, for capita pork consumption rose 16 percent from 1975 to 1991 l at advances in China, Taiwan, and Denmark. unless most of these gains were sprout by declines in East Central Europe and stagnant demand in greatest in quantity other regions. In many nations of the world, religious practices bar pork consumption.

Rising Income combustible matters Meat Demand

on a level if meat prices remained constant, consumption patterns would change with sweeps in incomes and lifestyles, and growths in production, processing, and distribution. Shifts in direction policies influencing availability and pricing also affect consumption.