resource
Nov. 1 2011
Resource
Food Supply (Meat, Fish, Seafood) (Keeping Track)
Description
The average global citizen consumes 43 kg of meat per year, up from 34 kg in 1992Global dietary patterns have changed enormously over the last decades. “Income growth, relative price changes, urbanization and shifts in consumer preferences have altered dietary patterns particularly in developing countries” (FAO 2008). Diets shifted away from basic foods towards livestock products, as well as oils, fruits and vegetables, increasing the demand for meat by 26% and for fish and seafood by 32% between 1992 and 2007. During that time, for example, global average meat consumption grew from 34 kg per person per year to 43 kg. Nearly all of these increases can be attributed to growing demand in Asia and to a lesser extent, Latin America. Based on different studies and considering the entire commodity chain (including deforestation for grazing, forage production, etc), meat production accounts for 18-25% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions (UNEP 2009, Fiala 2008, FAO 2006).
This graphic is part of the publication Keeping Track of Our Changing Environment.
