Rise in Meat Production Meager

A total of 2.673 million tons of different kinds of meat were produced in Iran in 2017, registering a 0.8% increase compared with the year before.

More than 2.17 million tons of chicken were produced in the country over the period, indicating a 0.5% rise compared with 2016. Chicken exports amounted to 58,000 tons and there were no imports of the product, Tasnim News Agency reported, citing the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Lamb meat production stood at 296,000 tons, showing a 0.3% rise. Iran had no lamb meat exports, but imported some 5,000 tons of the product over the period.

Veal production experienced a 5% increase to reach 205,000 tons. Imports amounted to 127,000 tons and exports to 5,000 tons.

Alireza Azizollahi, CEO of the Central Union of Iran Animal Farmers, said that due to the increase in meat consumption during the next Iranian year (starting March 21), imports of both lamb and veal need to increase, IRNA reported.