Exploring the evolution and determinants of the meat consumption. Empirical evidence from fifty countries

Abstract

We have studied the evolution and convergence of meat consumption, as well as explored its main determinants. The empirical analysis has been accomplished with annual time series data from 1961 to 2013 for 50 countries and it has been made for five different types of meat: bovine, pork, poultry, mutton goat and others. Concretely, we have studied the evolution of each type of meat consumption of the countries during these years. Furthermore, we have analyzed the convergence, showing that along time countries tend to resemble among them in their consumption. Finally, we have explored the potential determinants of total meat consumption by estimating a standard demand function. Our results suggest that demand of meat depends on its price, national income and the prices of various complementary and substitute goods. All considered variables are significant with the exception of fish’s price. These results can be useful in designing appropriate economic policies.