About 476,000 tons of red meat was produced in official slaughterhouses across the country during the past fiscal year (ended in March), which indicates a 12% rise compared to the year before, according to the Statistical Center of Iran.
Production of lamb meet rose 11%, goat meat 1%, beef and veal 14%, bison 5% and camel meat 21%. Iran’s per capita red meat consumption is 11.5 kilograms. Per capita production stands at 10.5 kilograms, IRNA reported.
The SCI has been releasing figures on annual meat production at official slaughterhouses since 1968.
According to the Association of Cattle Breeders, Iran’s total annual red meat production is 820,000 tons+ while consumption is about 880,000 tons. Yet some 100,000 tons of frozen red meat is imported, which is 40,000 tons in excess of domestic demand.
“Excessive imports are causing problems for livestock breeders. Currently, we have surplus production, which is exported. Rumors of shortage in the market are spread by middlemen trying to increase prices,” head of the association Ahmad Moqaddasi was quoted by Mehr News Agency as saying.
Deputy agriculture minister Hassan Rokni says some 460,000 head of livestock were exported during March-August.
Some 100,000 tons of red meat worth $425.9 million were imported from China, Germany, Australia, the UAE, Brazil, Turkey, Oman and the Netherlands in last Iranian fiscal year, indicating 44.8% and 20.3% growth in volume and value compared to the year before.
The Agricultural Jihad Ministry plans to limit annual imports to 60,000 tons.
Nomadic Production
According to the Nomadic Affairs Organization, nomads produce 175,000 tons of red meat every year, accounting for 25% of the overall red meat production. They reportedly own nearly 4% of the country’s total livestock and 28% of poultry.
Last year, the government allocated $47 million in loans to nomads for red meat production.
The first market to offer red meat products from nomadic tribes officially opened in Tehran last month.
“The market was created to support tribal produce and remove intermediaries,” said Karamali Ghandali, head of the Iran Nomadic Affairs Organization, at the inauguration ceremony.
Organic produce will be available for the public directly through pastoralists at reasonable prices, which would be 10-15% cheaper than market prices, ISNA reported.
“Many such marketplaces will open across the country to facilitate people’s easy access to healthy red meat.” The market is located next to INAO building in Palestine Square in central Tehran.
