Articles from Auriga Magasinet No. 2, September 2005
Developing countries want more meat
In particular Chinese consumers are becoming richer, and China is at the moment increasing its imports of feeds for livestock to meet the increasing demand for meat.
In addition to population growth, a number of developing countries will in the coming decades experience a level of economic growth which will materially change the population’s eating habits and the demand for food. In these countries the demand for better quality food – and meat – will increase.
China
China is one example of a country where the demand for food is increasing dramatically due to population growth and, in particular, because of a high level of economic growth. Being the most populous nation in the world, China will in the coming years dominate the global demand for food. China represents about one fifth of the world’s population, but only 7 per cent of the global arable land.
“Endeavours to halt population growth in China will not be felt in earnest until 2040, by which time the country’s population will have grown to 1.4 billion. At the same time, the Chinese are enjoying higher living standards and increases in spending will further boost the demand for food,” says Lars-Erik Kruse Pedersen, Market Development Manager.
The high rate of economic growth in China – currently 8-9 per cent per year – means that by 2010, consumption in China will exceed consumption in the USA.
Given the increase in meat production, the growing of feed crops such as soybeans and
maize must increase at an even greater rate than if the crops were used directly to
feed people. It takes about 3 kg of feed crop to produce 1 kg of pork.
More meat and better quality
Economic growth means that the middle classes in China are growing and demanding more varied food and food products of a higher quality. It has been projected that the demand for meat doubles between 1995 and 2020.
“Given the increase in meat production, the growing of feed crops such as soybeans and maize must increase at an even greater rate than if the crops were used directly to feed people. It takes about 3 kg of feed crop to produce 1 kg of pork,” Lars-Erik Kruse Pedersen explains.
Need for feed crops
In China and many other developing countries, agricultural production cannot keep up with demographic and economic developments. This means that there is a gigantic market for agricultural exports – not least in China. In 2004, China imported twice as many agricultural products as in 2002. The increasing demand for grain crops and soybeans in China and other developing countries must primarily be met through increases in production in Europe, the USA and South America.
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