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“In the majority of developed countries one person consumes an average of 100 gram of protein a day. That indicator is 75 gram in Azerbaijan,” claims Chingiz Farajev, head of the Department on production, development of cattle, breeding and pasturelands at the Ministry of Agriculture in Azerbaijan, reports Azerbaijani service of “Radio Liberty”.

“It is not normal,” states the official encouraging to raise the level of meat production in the country.

The consumption level of protein products, particularly of the meat, is considered to be one of the indicators of quality of life. Protein products are widely consumed in developed countries of the world, reads the publication.

According to Farajev, 117 thousand tons of beef, 80 thousand tons of lamb, 4 thousand tons of pork, more than 87 thousand tons of poultry were produced in Azerbaijan last year. Farajev notes that based on the norms of World Health Organization a person must consume an average of 73 kg of meat annually.

“But according to the minimum consumption basket in Azerbaijan, 20,5 kg of meat is consumed per person. This is why we should take measures for raising the meat consumption indicator,” says Farajev.

High level protein products include beef, lamb, pork, fish, caviar, poultry, eggs, cheese and cottage cheese. Residents of less developed or poor countries suffer from the lack of protein in food, writes “Radio Liberty.”

According to the data claimed by Chingiz Farajev, meat consumption in Azerbaijan equals to 288 thousand tons or 30,8 kg per capita (based on the official population number).

It noteworthy that based on the data of National Statistical Service of Armenia, meat consumption in 2012 amounted to 136,5 thousand tons (excluding fish). In per capita terms, the amount equals to 45,5 kg of meat annually, which is by 47% more than the indicator in Azerbaijan.