- The average Brazilian eats 91.8 kilograms of meat per year, down from 93.1 kilograms in 2012.
- Younger Brazilians, aged 18 to 24, have shown the biggest decrease in meat consumption.
- In 2019, Brazil exported over $14 billion worth of beef, making it the world’s top beef exporter.
According to a recent study by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazilians are consuming less meat than they did a decade ago. The study found that the average Brazilian now eats around 91.8 kilograms of meat per year, down from 93.1 kilograms in 2012. Younger Brazilians, aged 18 to 24, have shown the biggest decrease in meat consumption, making this trend particularly notable.
One reason for this shift away from meat is the increasing awareness of the environmental impact of animal agriculture. Brazil is home to the Amazon rainforest, which plays a critical role in regulating the global climate. Deforestation for animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change, and many Brazilians are now choosing to reduce their meat consumption as a way to help protect the environment.
Another factor driving the decline in meat consumption is the growing popularity of plant-based diets. In recent years, more and more Brazilians have begun incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and legumes into their diets, either as part of a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle or as a way to reduce their overall meat intake. This trend has been fueled by the growing availability of plant-based meat alternatives, which offer a convenient and tasty way to reduce meat consumption without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
Despite these trends, Brazil is still a major global player in the meat industry. In 2019, the country exported over $14 billion worth of beef, making it the world’s top beef exporter. However, it remains to be seen whether Brazil can maintain this position as more and more of its own citizens turn away from meat.
Covid and high inflation
In addition to the growing awareness of the environmental impact of animal agriculture and the increasing popularity of plant-based diets, the decrease in meat consumption in Brazil may also be related to higher inflation and reduced purchasing power.
In recent years, Brazil has seen high levels of inflation, with the inflation rate reaching 4.31% in November 2020. This decrease in purchasing power has caused many Brazilians to cut back on their meat consumption in order to save money and stretch their budgets further.
Moreover, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has also likely contributed to the decline in meat consumption in Brazil. The pandemic has led to job losses and economic uncertainty, which may have prompted some people to reduce their meat intake in order to save money.
Overall, it seems that a combination of factors, including environmental concerns, the popularity of plant-based diets, higher inflation, and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, are contributing to the decline in meat consumption in Brazil.
Main photo: São Paulo Municipal market - By Luiz coelho - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25529482
