CAIRO: Meat-eating is on the rise in Egypt, despite rising prices and calls for boycotting red meat. A poll published earlier this year by the Information and Decision Support Center of the Egyptian Cabinet revealed that the consumption of red meat is increasingly in dramatic fashion. The study showed that only 11 percent of Egypt's 80 million strong population eat less than two kilograms of meat per month on average throughout the year. This includes the slaughter of animals during the Eid holiday. The study gave stark statistics on meat consumption in the country, reporting that 32 percent of the population consume between two and four kilos of meat on average per month, 30 percent eat four to 6kg; 8 percent consume 6 to 8 kilos; 6 percent consume between 8 and 10 kilos while 7 percent of Egypt eats more than 10 kilograms of meat per month. With Ramadan arriving in Egypt, health concerns are a major concern for those who consume massive amounts of meat on a daily basis. Rania Rabie, a dietician in Cairo, says that most doctors tell their patients that they must have meat in order to maintain protein and vitamin levels in their diet. “This is simply wrong. Humans can get a vast majority of their protein and vitamins from vegetable sources. It just takes some education,” she told Bikya Masr. As the holy month of fasting begins, carts are being loaded with processed and factory farmed meat products. Egyptians want meat at as many meals as possible, despite the rising costs, which have nearly doubled in the past two years. “It is our duty to eat meat and we know it is healthy for us to do so,” said Omar Tarek, a father of three while standing in line at one of Cairo's supermarkets. He is unnerved by reports that too much meat can be bad for health. “People don't understand that this over consumption is leading to massive health problems in this country,” Rabia continued, “what we are seeing is obese children because of all the fast-food they are consuming and the fact that a lot of food illnesses come from bad meat hasn't seemed to make a dent in perceptions.” With the vast majority of Egyptians eating more and more meat, factory farming has started to take up shop in Egypt. The desire for more meat is, according to experts, causing prices to rise. One meat industry expert said via telephone that factory farming is “cheaper in the developed world because it keeps the price steady. “But, when it comes to the developing world it means the international market prices must be upheld and this is far more expensive than locally produced chicken and other meat products,” said the expert, who asked not to be named. For all the boycotts against the rising prices, it seems Egyptians, through their desire to consume more and more meat, are indirectly affecting the prices. BM
