Eid al Adha and Rising Meat Consumption in Pakistan
By Riaz Haq
CA
Media coverage of Pakistan’s brisk Eid-ul-Adha livestock sales are a reminder that the nation is among the world’s top ten consumers of goat meat and beef based on USDA data.
Pakistan’s goat meat consumption of 779,000 tons in 2011-12 ranks it among the top three in the world. 1.7 million tons of beef consumption in Pakistan is ranked ninth among beef consuming nations. In addition, 834,000 tons of poultry meat consumption puts it among the world’s top 20.
Along with rising meat consumption, there has also been a big surge in milk consumption with the ongoing livestock revolution in Pakistan. Pakistanis consumed nearly 39 million tons of milk in 2011-12, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan. This translates into 223 kg of milk consumption per person which is about the same as the developed world’s per capita milk consumption and more than twice that of neighboring India’s 96 kg per capita.
Although meat consumption in Pakistan is rising, it still remains very low by world standards. At just 18 kg per person, it’s less than half of the world average of 42 kg per capita meat consumption reported by the FAO. Being mostly vegetarian, neighboring Indians consume only 3.2 kg of meat per capita, less than one-fifth of Pakistan’s 18 kg.
Daal (legumes or pulses) are popular in South Asia as a protein source. Indians consume 11.68 kg of daal per capita, about twice as much as Pakistan’s 6.57 kg. Another ingredient popular in South Asian cuisine is vegetable oil. It’s an important source of fat and protein for a nutritious and tasty diet. Edible oil consumption soars during the holidays as hundreds of millions of people eat sweets and fried foods during the September-December festive season. Pakistanis use about 20 kg of oil, the per capita amount recommended by the World Health Organization, while Indians consume about 13 kg per capita.
Celebratory occasions like Eid or Diwali push up sugar consumption in South Asia. Pakistan’s per capita sugar consumption is about 23 kg while India’s is about 20 kg per person per year.
Although still below average relative to the world, per capita consumption of meat, milk and edible oil are rising with rising incomes in both India and Pakistan. As the dietary habits change, it’ll be important for policy makers and health and fitness professionals to watch the changes and help educate the people about healthy eating.
Related Links: Haq’s Musings Livestock and Agribusiness Revolution in Pakistan Pakistan’s Rural Economy Showing Strength Solving Pakistan’s Sugar Crisis Food, Clothing and Shelter in India and Pakistan Is India a Nutritional Weakling? India Tops World Hunger Charts-- Riaz Haqwww.riazhaq.comwww.pakalumni.com
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