Cattle Farming Sector Bemoans Massive Surplus

Excessive production of livestock over the past few months, combined with significant decline in red meat consumption due to the coronavirus pandemic, have led to a massive surplus in the cattle farming sector, says the head of Iran’s Livestock Exporters National Assembly.
“Latest statistics show the domestic market normally needs around 60 million head of light livestock per year, but currently it is overflowing with 12 million above the average rate,” Mansour Pourian was also quoted as saying by IRNA on Sunday.
This has put farmers under immense pressure, making them face a wide range of challenges, including excessive costs, feed shortage and aging of cattle, he added.
The government banned livestock exports in the last Iranian year (ended March 19) to help increase supply in the domestic market. However, excessive imports amid a domestic production hike as well as the huge fall in consumption created the current problem.