OECD and FAO: Emerging Economies at the Forefront of Growth in Animal-Origin Food Production
Follow-up
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have predicted significant growth in the production and consumption of animal-origin food between 2025 and 2034, primarily driven by rising income levels in middle-income countries.
The joint report titled “OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034” confirms that improvements in living standards will lead to increased livestock production and higher consumption of calories from meat, dairy products, and fish.
Despite this positive trend, the report emphasizes that this increase alone will not suffice to eradicate malnutrition or reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the agricultural sector, urging the need for additional gains in productivity.
The report anticipates that the average calories derived from animal products will rise by 6% globally, reaching 364 calories per day per person in lower-middle-income countries, compared to only 143 calories in poor countries, still falling short of the FAO’s recommended threshold of 300 calories.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann called for maintaining open agricultural markets and enhancing sustainability, while FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu stressed the need to extend recorded progress to the least developed countries and reduce the carbon footprint of the global food sector.
According to the report, global agriculture, including aquaculture and fishing, is expected to grow by 14% over the next decade, driven by productivity improvements in middle-income countries. Meat, dairy, and egg production are projected to rise by 17%, with the number of livestock increasing by 7%, which will lead to a 6% increase in agricultural emissions.
The report warns that small producers face significant risks due to anticipated price declines and market volatility, calling for targeted support programs and better market access to enhance their resilience.
Both organizations confirmed the need to increase agricultural productivity by 15% while reducing emissions by 7% to combat hunger and ensure sustainable agricultural systems.
The report concludes by highlighting the importance of international cooperation and reliance on organized agricultural trade, noting that 22% of global calories cross borders, underscoring the necessity of facilitating trade to achieve balanced resource distribution and enhance global food security.
