TEHRAN- Production of red meat in Iran rose two percent in the third month of the current Iranian calendar year (May 21- June 21), as compared to the previous month, the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) announced.

As reported, 33,167 tons of red meat was produced in the third month of this year.

Beef and veal had the lion’s share in the country’s red meat output during the third month with 18,310 tons, followed by lamb and mutton with 11,626 tons, goat meat with 2,468 tons, and red meat from other livestock with 763 tons.

Supply of red meat in the third month of this year fell 28 percent from that of the same month in the previous year.

Iran is among the leading consumers of red meat in the West Asia region with lamb being the most sought after. However, the consumption per person is around a third of what is normally seen in countries like the U.S. and Australia, mainly due to the prohibition of pork in Islamic law.

The major part of Iran’s red meat imports comes from countries like Brazil, where Iranian supervisors directly control culling methods to ensure they comply with religious rules.

MA