CAIRO: In an effort to combat rising meat prices, Egypt has said it will allow frozen and processed poultry products into the country. The move, confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture, will ease regulation on frozen chickens, turkeys and ducks into the country. The easing comes amidst skyrocketing meat prices in the country. Ironically, industry experts have pointed to the growth in the desire to eat meat that has lead to the rising costs, as production locally cannot sustain consumer demand. “We have resorted to Western methods of factory farming because Egyptians want to eat more and more eat more frequently,” said one industry expert who asked not to be named. Fresh/frozen beef shipments are limited to chilled or frozen boneless beef from animals less than 30 months of age produced under an export-verification program, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said in a statement today on its website. Processed-beef products must be made from fresh/frozen meat at Egypt-approved slaughter sites in order to be eligible for import, the FSIS said. Here in Cairo, a recent check of beef prices saw one kilo for over $10. For a population that lives on less than $2 daily, purchasing meat has become ever difficult. But, a number of Egyptian Facebook groups have offered a solution to those who can't afford meat: go vegetarian. A number of activists have come out in favor of the rising costs of meat, citing statistics that revealed three out of four Egyptian women are overweight and health issues surrounding constant meat consumption. BM
