Nomadic Livelihood in Jeopardy as Red Meat Consumption Declines

Iran’s red meat consumption has declined by 40% after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, which has inflicted losses on the country’s nomads whose livelihood largely depends on animal husbandry, says the caretaker of Nomadic Affairs Organization affiliated with the Agriculture Ministry.
“Limitations on social events and gatherings due to the pandemic have resulted in the cancellation of weddings, funerals and religious ceremonies. Most restaurants are either closed or have very few customers and delivery requests, which has in turn reduced red meat consumption,” Shahpour Alaei-Moqaddam was also quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.
The official noted that under the circumstances, nomadic tribes are facing an oversupply of livestock.
Mansour Pourian, the head of Iran’s Livestock Exporters National Assembly, told Tasnim News Agency in April that restaurants, hotels and ceremony halls have the biggest share in red meat consumption.