Latin America Pursues Sustainable Livestock Amid Rising Demand

Latin America produces 23% of the world’s beef and 21% of poultry, but the region’s livestock sector faces complex environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate impacts, reported FAO. In response, experts and policymakers gathered at FAO’s first Regional Conference for Sustainable Livestock Transformation in Uruguay to address these issues, sharing strategies for a resilient, sustainable, and competitive industry.

Demand for animal-based products like meat, dairy, and eggs is expected to grow by 20% by 2050, pressuring Latin American countries to enhance livestock productivity while addressing climate vulnerabilities. FAO data show that livestock is a lifeline for 64.5% of Latin America’s rural population and occupies 84.5% of the region’s agricultural land. Across rural economies, around 40% of the global agricultural Gross Domestic Product, estimated at US$1.8 billion, depends on livestock. Key recommendations for the sector include adopting technologies that optimize animal nutrition, soil management, and herd health, which can help meet demand without expanding grazing lands.

Arturo Macosay, Director General of Livestock, Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture (SADER), led the Mexican delegation during the event, affirming the country’s commitment to sustainable transformation. He emphasized that integrating small and medium-sized producers into environmentally sound practices could protect resources like soil and water while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. He also highlighted Mexico’s broader policies for sustainable livestock, such as the Catalog of Sustainable Livestock Production Practices and the Climate Change Vulnerability Atlas, which aim to boost rural resilience through conservation-oriented practices and technical capacity-building.

Mexico’s sustainable livestock policies include a collaborative project between FAO Mexico, the federal government, and state entities aimed at establishing a deforestation-free, low-emission livestock sector. This initiative, presented to the Global Environment Facility, seeks to align livestock production with conservation goals, offering technical knowledge and innovative tools to promote eco-friendly practices across the livestock industry.