Consumption of Small Ruminant Meats in Households and Outside the Home in the City of Abéché, Chad

This study concerns the consumption of small ruminant meats in households and outside the home in the city of Abéché. The surveys were conducted among 100 families, 75 out-of-home consumers, 25 butchers and 25 livestock sellers. The data collected included the profile of consumers, consumption patterns, preferences of species, socio-economic factors impacting the demand and perceived effects of urbanization and population growth. The results show that the consumption of small ruminant meat is predominantly concentrated among a young group of economically active males. 68% of families consume it daily and 65.3% outside the home. Consumption frequency is high. The most valued meat is that of sheep, both at home (81%) and away from home (87.67%). In families, the consumption declines with the rise in the number of family members, going from 5.3 ± 0.6 Kg per month for households of 1 to 3 people to 3.5 ± 2.02 Kg for those with more than 10 persons. In contrast, outside the household, consumption increases with income from 0.9 Kg/month for incomes less than 100,000 FCFA to 2.63 Kg/month for incomes more than 200,000 FCFA. Taste is the most important criterion for meat choice (50% homes, 84% outside the home). The study also found that 93% of those surveyed think consumption has increased over the previous ten years and 99% consider that urbanization has a direct impact on demand. These results show the increasing importance of small ruminant meat in the urban food habits of Abéché and the necessity to better organize the supply chain.