What will be the consumption of staple foods in the coming years?

Published report on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that demand for increased cereal production will decline, in part because per capita consumption of most cereals is reaching saturation levels in many countries.

In 2032, it is estimated that 41% of all grains will go directly for human consumption; 37%, fodder; and the rest for biofuels and other industrial uses.

Maize, wheat and soybeans contributed the most to the overall growth of agricultural trade in the past decade; however, it is estimated that it will experience the largest decline in commercial growth over the next 10 years.

As for global sugar consumption growth, it will be entirely driven by Africa and Asia, where demand is expected to increase in areas where per capita intake levels are currently low. Conversely, in high-income countries, consumption will continue to fall.

In addition, it is predicted that average global meat consumption per capita will increase by 0.1% per yearan increase that will mainly boost low- and middle-income countries.

Global demand for meat is expected to increase by the end of 2032, but levels are estimated to consumption per capita in high-income countries will decline over the next decade as a result of declines in Western Europe and North America.

The amount of fish available for consumption is expected to increase everywhere, with Africa growing fastest, although rapid population growth in this region will limit increases in per capita consumption.

It is also forecast to increase 1.3 percent annually over the next decade in world livestock and fish production, a slower rate than in the recent past. It is estimated that poultry meat will account for almost half of the total increase in meat production by the end of 2032.

World milk production is expected to grow rapidly 1.5% annually over the next decade, with more than half of that increase coming from India and Pakistanwhich together will account for almost a third of global milk production by 2032.

A slight decline in milk production in the European Union is expected as a result of the current transition towards more ecologically sustainable production systems.