FAO warns AMR could drive $318 billion in livestock losses by 2040

Rome, 3 June 2026 -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says antimicrobial resistance in livestock is a major long-term threat to food security, production, economic welfare and human health. The assessment was presented Wednesday on the sidelines of the Fourth Session of the COAG Sub-Committee on Livestock at FAO headquarters in Rome.

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FAO said current trends, driven by growing demand for animal source foods and continued production intensification, point to a nearly 30% increase in global antimicrobial use in livestock by 2040 compared with 2019. The report says antimicrobial growth promoters can deliver clear short-term productivity gains, particularly in resource-limited areas, but warns that projected long-term losses under rising AMR scenarios are much larger.

In the scenarios assessed, cumulative livestock production losses under the high-AMR case could reach about $318 billion by 2040. FAO said that compares with about $53 billion under the most severe AGP phase-out case.

The report also says Asia and the Pacific are projected to remain the largest global users of livestock antimicrobials by 2040, accounting for nearly 65% of total use. South America is projected to follow with around 19%, while Africa's share remains lower but its growth rate is among the highest.

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