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Monalisa Chikwengo
IF Zimbabweans consumed 42 kilogrammes of beef per person per year, this would mean its population of 15 million needs to slaughter 3, 5 million cattle per year (15 million x 42kg divided by 180kg per dressed beef carcass) out of a national herd of 5, 6 million, which is impracticable, experts have said.
This argument comes as experts in the beef industry yesterday dismissed a report by Visual Capitalists, (a global online publisher focusing on topics including markets, technology, energy and global economy) that Zimbabwe is the world’s second-largest beef consumer at 42 kilogrammes per person per year.
According to the data from the publisher on most consumed meat in the world, Zimbabwe was recognised as one of the world’s leading consumers of beef.
The data highlighted that the nation ranks second after Argentina, with an average consumption of 42, 3 kilogrammes of beef per capita last year.
An agricultural economist with the Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (LMAC), Dr Reneth Mano said the published information underscored the increasing worry about false information and misinformation in society today and emphasised the need for individuals to fact-check and verify information before sharing it.
“The story and map showing that Zimbabwe consumes 42 kilogrammes of beef per person per year is inaccurate. Our per capita beef consumption is close to 4, 2 kilogrammes per person per year than the reported figure 42 kilogrammes,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s beef industry is well poised to be a major player in the global market and contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.
In 2022, Zimbabwe slaughtered 350 000 cattle through Government monitored abattoirs.
“On this figure we add an estimated 150 000 beef cattle slaughtered in rural areas to give a grant total of around 500 000 cattle slaughtered per year in Zimbabwe yielding a total of 90, 000 tonnes of beef. Thus our population of 15, 5 million consumed on average of 5, 8 kilogrammes of beef per person in 2022,” continued Dr Mano.
Meanwhile, a Cold Storage Company (CSC) – Boustead Beef Zimbabwe consultant, Mr Reginald Shoko has added to the conversation saying the significant beef consumption by individuals was evidence of a robust beef industry.
He, however, expressed doubts about the accuracy of the statistics presented in the report.
“The agricultural sector’s prosperity and success are greatly aided by the beef industry’s ability to adapt and remain resilient, benefiting both farmers and consumers. However, the accuracy of the statistics from the report is questionable,” he said.
While it is evident that beef consumption is a significant part of Zimbabwe’s food culture, experts are still going through the report to confirm the accuracy of the numbers presented.
The process of checking and verifying the report’s statistics is ongoing, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome to determine the actual position of Zimbabwe’s beef industry in the world.
Online Reporter