18 billion animals sacrificed yearly without making it onto someone's plate: Study

Every year, the world consumes millions of tons of meat, leading to a similar amount of waste at various stages of the food supply chain

By Ground Report 23 Nov 2023

New Update

18 billion animals sacrificed yearly without making it onto someone's plate: Study

Every year, the world consumes millions of tons of meat, leading to a similar amount of waste at various stages of the food supply chain. A recent study in the journal Sustainable Production and Consumption examined this loss, from animal rearing to consumption, and estimated the number of animal lives this waste represents.

The alarming figure was first calculated on a global scale by environmental scientists Juliane Klaura, Laura Scherer, and Gerard Breeman. They argue that reducing these numbers would not only alleviate unnecessary animal suffering but also significantly contribute to combating climate change.

The study used data on the consumption of pigs, cows, sheep, goats, chickens, and turkeys in 158 countries for 2019. This year was chosen because it is the most recent year for which data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is available, and it is not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research identified five stages in the food chain where food loss can occur. The first stage is production, which involves the rearing and growth of animals. The second stage is storage and handling, which includes animal transportation and health certification processes.

The third stage is processing and packaging, where animals are slaughtered and prepared for sale. The fourth stage is distribution, which involves the entry of meat into the market. The final stage is consumption, which can occur in homes or restaurants.

18 billion animals a year die

The study found that in 2019, 77.4 million tons of meat were wasted at all stages of the food chain. This equates to about 52.4 tons of edible boneless meat, enough to feed 1,000 people for a year if they each ate more than 140 grams of meat per day.

In 2019, approximately 18 billion animals were lost without benefiting humans due to meat waste. This includes 74.1 million cattle, 188 million goats, 195.7 million sheep, 298.8 million pigs, 402.3 million turkeys, and 16.8 billion chickens. On average, 2.4 animal lives were wasted per person in the production and consumption of meat.

The researchers estimate that the greatest losses occur in the first stage (breeding and growth) and the last stage (consumption), accounting for 51.6% of meat waste or about 26 million tons of wasted boneless meat. However, this varies by region.

For example, consumption-based losses dominate in North America, Oceania, Europe, and industrialized Asia, while production-based losses are greatest in Latin America, North Africa, West and Central Asia, and especially Sub-Saharan Africa. In South and Southwest Asia, most losses occur in the distribution, slaughter, and processing stages of meat.

Beef is a great polluter

The study conducted by Juliane Klaura aims to emphasize the significant benefits of reducing meat waste, not only for animal welfare but also in the fight against climate change. As per the United Nations data, livestock contributes to 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, with beef being the major contributor. Klaura, along with Laura Scherer and Gerard Breeman, also delved into the awareness and consciousness of livestock, stating that quantifying animal suffering is challenging.

Klaura cautions that there isn’t a universal solution to address the massive annual meat loss. She suggests that in developing nations, the focus should be on enhancing animal conditions and the storage and transportation of meat. In contrast, in Western countries, changing consumer behavior could make a significant difference.

Klaura acknowledges that altering dietary habits won’t be an easy task, especially considering the emotional reactions it can trigger. She cites the example of her home country, Germany, where people often feel deprived when asked to change their diet. This emotional response makes it difficult for politicians to formulate rational strategies. However, she believes that highlighting the fact that billions of animals are slaughtered each year only to be wasted could be a crucial first step towards positive change.

Major contributors to food loss and Waste

The study reveals that 60% of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) originates from the top ten countries, with 57% of animal lives embodied in Meat Loss and Waste (MLW) of these top ten countries. Seven of these countries, including China, India, the US, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico, are common to both lists. If these high-impact countries reduced FLW of all commodities, a significant number of animal lives could be saved. China, the US, and Brazil alone account for 35% of global animal life losses.

Industrialized Asia is identified as the region causing the highest FLW mass, consistent across multiple studies. This region could be a potential target for intervention to reduce both general FLW and MLW.

The US and Brazil, two of the top ten countries identified, are also hotspots of animal welfare and life loss. Detailed studies on local FLW patterns, causes, and intervention ideas are available for these countries, providing an opportunity for scholars and policymakers to work on country-specific waste reduction strategies.

North America & Oceania are highlighted as hotspots of greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to consumer beef waste. Focusing on reducing meat waste in food service and households in these regions could lead to win-win outcomes for the environment and animal welfare.

Finally, the responsibility for animal life loss through production should not solely lie with the producing countries. Both producers and consumers demanding their products should share this responsibility, reflecting the capability of some countries with higher GDP per capita to implement change.