The US produces too little beef to meet the demand for protein. For that, Wesley Batista, former CEO of JBS, the largest meat producer in the world, warns in the Ft.
In the first half of the year, the US imported 30 percent more beef than the year before, according to the US Department of Agriculture. The price of ground beef rose by 13 percent in a year.
It may sound like Americans are running a risk of nutrient shortages, but an excessive consumption of protein in the US is probably a bigger problem.
In North America, people on average already consume much more meat and dairy than is healthy for people and planet, the scientific Eat-Lancet Commission showed again last week.
Read also
The richest 30 percent of people are responsible for 70 percent of the impact of food
And the demand for animal protein is only growing. According to Batista, who is now on the board of directors of JBS, partly because people who use GLP-1 slimming drugs (including Ozempic) are advised to eat a lot of protein to prevent muscle loss.
In the meantime, the range of beef in the US is under pressure. Due to increasing drought, many farmers let their herd shrink. Batista mainly sees solutions in efficiency. Batista does not state that eating less meat in rich countries is better for planet and public health. JBS is regularly under fire due to deforestation in the Amazon.
