Only 3% of Eggs and 15% of Meat Cross Borders, FAO Finds

A global review by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization suggests international trade is a much smaller part of the world's livestock food supply than supermarket shoppers might assume. Only 3% of eggs, 12% of milk and dairy products and 15% of meat are traded across international borders, according to the FAO's September 22, 2026 report.

The distinction matters for farmers, policymakers and food companies. Many livestock markets are shaped primarily by local production capacity, animal health, feed costs and domestic distribution, not international shipments.

The protein figures

Livestock foods account for about one-third of global protein supply, the assessment says. Mixed crop and livestock systems and poultry systems each contribute roughly 30% of the protein supplied by livestock. Pig production accounts for 19%, grazing systems 12% and feedlots 3%.

The global average also hides big regional differences. The FAO estimates livestock foods provide more than half of protein in much of the Americas, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, compared with less than 18% in Africa.

Why market structure matters

A disease outbreak or feed shortage in a major importing country can still influence international prices. Yet the low share of cross-border trade in several animal foods shows why local veterinary services, rural infrastructure, refrigeration and reliable animal feed remain central to food security.

The report estimates livestock generates around 40% of global agricultural GDP, equivalent to approximately $1.8 trillion. It also identifies differing strengths and weaknesses among grassland grazing, mixed farming and more intensive systems.

Environmental and production trade-offs

Livestock accounts for an estimated 12% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, according to FAO. The agency emphasizes that comparing systems requires care: extensive systems can have lower emissions per hectare while more intensive systems may have lower emissions per kilogram produced.

The report does not recommend a single farming model for every country. Its assessment points instead to better animal health, appropriate feed, market access and productivity improvements tailored to local conditions.

Source and image rights

Primary source: FAO, September 22, 2026, https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/new-fao-report-surveys-how-different-livestock-production-systems-can-contribute-to-social--economic-and-environmental-sustainability/en

Image: Agrilinkage original contextual editorial cattle illustration, sourced from the site's existing media library.