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Charting Asia’s protein journey

Population growth and rising incomes across Asia will drive a 78 percent increase in meat and seafood consumption by 2050, a new report said. The report — Charting Asia’s Protein Journey’ — by Asia Research and Engagement (ARE) which examines the environmental effects of meeting Asia’s growing demand for protein, was released at the Sustainable Food Summit here. It discloses for the first time the dramatic impact on water, land-use, anti-microbial use and the climate. In India, it says consumers have gradually switched from bovine meat to poultry over the past two to three decades, a trend that it project to continue in the medium term, with an increase in beef and water buffalo exports to higher earning countries. The study modeled Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea individually and projected values for the rest of Asia.