Cattle to feed: Why a global meat crisis is looming | Food News | Al Jazeera

Cattle stocks are declining in major beef-producing countries such as Brazil, the US, and China, leading to decreased meat production. Brazil’s cattle herd dropped nearly 8% in 2024 to 177.4 million. In the US, cattle numbers are at a historic low with 86.2 million as of January 2026, and in China, the cattle herd decreased by 14% to 94 million in January 2026. These declines threaten global meat prices and availability.