Although world pigmeat consumption and production ranks second to poultry in terms of recent growth, it remains the more important sector in terms of quantity (92 mio t were produced in 2000-2002). Asia is the dominant region in this sector, accounting for 56 % of world production and consumption and China is single-handedly responsible for almost half of world consumption and production. The growth of the world pork sector is projected to slow down over the next decade. The EU’s share in world exports (about one third for many years) has shrunk in the recent past as Canada and Brazil have gained importance and strengthened their export position, and the USA has switched to a netexport position.

Cereals production and consumption has grown at very modest rates since 1980 and is forecast to continue at this pace for the next decade with the coarse grains market remaining slightly more dynamic than wheat. The EU is forecast to maintain its current level of exports and thus is expected to slowly lose part of its market share, especially in the coarse grains sub-sector. Australia and Argentina will most likely benefit from this in the wheat market, and the US and Argentina in coarse grains. No significant change in cereal prices is expected.

World oilseed production and consumption has grown at robust rates in the last quarter of a century and, although this growth rate could drop somewhat in the next 10 years, it is nevertheless expected to remain double that of cereals. In order to bring demand and production into balance nominal oilseed prices could rise modestly. Brazil will overtake the USA as the most important oilseed exporter. China could double its imports and, therefore, absorb almost half of the oilseeds traded in 2014/2015. The EU will remain the second major importer.

Production and consumption of oilmeals will basically follow the growth pattern of oilseeds although the share of oilmeals traded is unlikely to increase further as crushing capacity improves where the meals are consumed. Argentina and Brazil together are expected to account for at least three quarters of world oilmeal exports in 2014. The EU, already by far the most important importer is likely to increase its imports further. Global consumption and production of vegetable oils has increased at the fastest pace of all sectors in the oilseeds/meals/vegetable oils complex and is expected to continue doing so.

Further Information

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Source: European Commission - February 2006