216 



THE WOHLD'H MEAT FUTURE 



If to these figures we add the live animals exported to adjoin- 

 ing countries during the year 1917 (71,355 head of cattle, 69,924 

 sheep, and 1,239 pigs) we arrive at a total weight of 706,992 

 tons. 



Home Consumption. 



In order to estimate the per capita consumption of meat in 

 the Federal capital, we take as a basis the number of inhabitants 

 as given in the municipal statistics, and the number and weight 

 of the carcases of meat as reported by the slaughterhouses at 

 Liniers and the " f rigorificos. " The following is the result, 

 showing the consumption in kilos per inhabitant : — • 



It will be noted that the consumption of meat has diminished 

 considerably since 1911, but the consumption of 100 kilos per 

 inhabitant may be regarded as very high for a centre of popu- 

 bitiou where there is such a variety of foodstuffs available as in 

 Huenos Aires, and during a period when tbe cost of living has 

 attained a high level hitherto unknown. Tt could be deduced 

 from this fact that, in Argentina, meat is, relatively speaking, 

 one of the least expensive articles of food, or that, in spite of 

 everything, the economic level of the ''consumer" is, on the 

 whole, a satisfactory one. 



