Interpretive Summary: Circular bioeconomy in livestock production: harnessing crop by-products in MERCOSUR/MERCOSUL
By: Griselda Meza Ocampos, Adibe Luiz Abdalla, Arnoldo González Reyna, Tim A McAllister
Implications
- Economic significance of Mercosur: As one of the world’s largest economic blocs, Mercosur plays a key role in global food production and trade.
- Regional bioeconomy strategies: Examining Mercosur’s approaches provides insights into successful circular economy practices.
- Policy and future development: Lessons from Mercosur’s experiences can guide policy frameworks to enhance sustainability in livestock production
Introduction
The increasing global population and the rising demand for sustainable food systems have highlighted the potential of agricultural co-products as viable alternatives for enhancing livestock production efficiency (FAO, 2017). Among agricultural commodities, by-products derived from agro-industrial processing present an economically and environmentally sustainable solution, aligning with the principles of a circular economy (Nath et al., 2023).
Agriculture is a key economic sector in South America, representing a heterogeneous percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) depending on the country (Pratt and Conroy, 2020; World Bank, 2024; Figure 1). Since 1865, the agricultural sector has gained relevance within the South American economy, with the main crops being soybeans (Glycine max (L.), corn (maize)—Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa (L.), wheat Triticum aestivum (L.), and sugar Saccharum officinarum L.); (Rodríguez et al., 2019).
Read more in Animal Frontiers: Advancing the Circularity of Livestock Production.
