Global meat consumption in 2011 fell for the first time in decades and production rose at only a slow rate as disease, drought and natural disasters disrupted markets, according to a report out today by the Worldwatch Institute.

The D.C.-based research organization found that humans around the world consumed on average 42.3 kilograms per person in 2011, down from 42.5 kilograms the previous year. Production rose to 297 million tons, an increase of 0.8 percent from the previous year; in 2010, production rose 2.6 percent.

The low numbers came as areas in China, Russia, the United States and Africa experienced intense drought conditions that drove up meat prices. Texas, the top U.S. cattle region, had its worst drought in recorded history and experienced $5.2 billion in losses to the agricultural sector.

Flooding in Pakistan and the tsunami in Japan also interrupted production. Bouts of foot-and-mouth disease in Pakistan, African swine fever in Russia, swine fever in Mexico and avian influenza in Asia also contributed to lower consumption.

In a statement accompanying the report, co-author Danielle Nierenberg blamed production agriculture for the spread of diseases.

Concentrated animal feeding operations "keep animals in cramped and often unsanitary conditions, providing a breeding ground for diseases," Nierenberg said.

The report also found that wide disparity continues to exist between industrialized and developing countries. Industrialized nations consumed an average of 78.9 kilograms of meat per capita throughout the year, while developing nations consumed just 32.3 kilograms per capita.

Since 1995, the growth rate for consumption in developing countries has been much higher than in industrialized nations, however. Developing countries saw their meat consumption increase by 25 percent in that time period, the report said, while in industrialized countries consumption increased by only 2 percent.

Globally, pork was the most widely consumed meat in 2011, while beef and sheep production leveled off globally.