Global Meat Production Growth: Trends, Demand, and Sustainability

Table of contents

Abstract
Meat foods (around the world)
Meat foods (latest year, countries around the world)
Meat Foods (Continent)
Meat (latest year, continent)
Main data
Reference

Abstract

Meat production has experienced significant growth over the decades, driven by rising global demand, urbanization, and changes in dietary preferences. From the 1960s to 2021, global meat production surged from around 70 million tons to 339 million tons, reflecting a shift toward protein-rich diets, especially in developing countries. Poultry has emerged as the fastest-growing segment, attributed to its lower production costs and shorter rearing times. While pork remains the most consumed meat worldwide, beef consumption has faced fluctuations due to health concerns and environmental impacts. Additionally, advancements in breeding, feed efficiency, and technology have transformed production practices, contributing to increased yields and sustainability efforts.

Meat foods (around the world)

From 1961 to 2021, global meat production rose dramatically, peaking at 339 million tons in 2021. This increase reflects changing dietary patterns, with growing populations in urban areas driving demand for protein-rich foods. Poultry has seen the fastest growth due to its cost-effectiveness and shorter production cycles, while pork remains the most widely consumed meat. Beef consumption has fluctuated, influenced by health concerns and environmental sustainability issues. Advances in farming practices, genetics, and feed efficiency have improved yields. However, challenges like climate change, animal welfare, and resource constraints are prompting a shift toward more sustainable meat production methods and alternative protein sources.

The maximum is the latest one, 7.98G of World

Meat foods (latest year, countries around the world)

In 2021, global meat production reached a record high of 339 million tons, marking a significant milestone in agricultural output. This figure reflects an average production of 8.39 million tons across various regions, contributing to a total of 1.86 billion tons over the recorded period. Key trends include a notable shift towards poultry, which has become the fastest-growing meat segment due to lower costs and shorter production cycles. While pork remains the most consumed meat, beef faces challenges from health and environmental concerns. Additionally, advances in production technologies and practices have enhanced efficiency, but the industry is increasingly focusing on sustainability, exploring alternative protein sources, and addressing animal welfare issues.

全体の最大はWorldの7.98Gで、平均は155M、Totalは32.3G

Meat Foods (Continent)

In 2021, global meat production hit a record high of 339 million tons, reflecting ongoing trends in dietary preferences and agricultural practices. This surge is driven by rising incomes, urbanization, and an increasing demand for protein-rich diets, particularly in developing nations. Poultry has emerged as the dominant segment due to its efficiency and lower production costs, while pork remains the most consumed meat worldwide. Beef production has faced scrutiny over environmental and health issues, prompting a shift towards sustainable practices. The industry is now exploring alternative protein sources to meet future demands while addressing concerns about climate change and animal welfare.

The maximum is the latest one, 7.98G of World

Meat (latest year, continent)

In 2021, global meat production reached a peak of 339 million tons, reflecting a significant growth trend in agricultural output. The average production across regions was 8.39 million tons, contributing to a cumulative total of 1.86 billion tons over the years. Key characteristics include a rapid increase in poultry production, favored for its efficiency and lower costs, while pork continues to dominate consumption. Beef production faces challenges from health concerns and environmental sustainability, prompting a shift towards more sustainable practices. Additionally, the industry is increasingly looking at alternative protein sources to meet rising global demand while addressing ecological and ethical considerations.

The maximum is 7.98G of World, the average is 155M, and the total is 32.3G

Main data

Others(Meat, Population) [G]
	World	Asia	Lower-middle-income countries	Upper-middle-income countries	Africa	China	India	High-income countries	Europe	Low-income countries
2022	7.98	4.72	3.45	2.56	1.43	1.43	1.42	1.22	0.74	0.72
2021	7.91	4.68	3.41	2.55	1.37	1.46	1.41	1.22	0.74	0.7
2020	7.84	4.65	3.37	2.54	1.34	1.46	1.4	1.22	0.74	0.68
2019	7.76	4.61	3.33	2.53	1.3	1.45	1.38	1.21	0.74	0.66
2018	7.68	4.57	3.28	2.52	1.26	1.45	1.37	1.21	0.74	0.64
2017	7.6	4.53	3.24	2.5	1.23	1.44	1.35	1.2	0.74	0.63
2016	7.51	4.48	3.19	2.48	1.2	1.43	1.34	1.2	0.74	0.61
2015	7.43	4.44	3.14	2.46	1.17	1.43	1.32	1.19	0.74	0.59
2014	7.34	4.39	3.1	2.44	1.14	1.42	1.31	1.18	0.74	0.58
2013	7.25	4.35	3.05	2.42	1.11	1.41	1.29	1.18	0.74	0.56
2012	7.16	4.3	3.01	2.4	1.08	1.4	1.27	1.17	0.74	0.55
2011	7.07	4.25	2.96	2.38	1.02	1.39	1.26	1.16	0.73	0.54
2010	6.99	4.2	2.91	2.36	0.99	1.38	1.24	1.15	0.73	0.52
2009	6.9	4.09	2.87	2.35	0.91	1.38	1.22	1.15	0.74	0.51
2008	6.81	4.04	2.82	2.33	0.89	1.37	1.21	1.14	0.74	0.49
2007	6.73	4	2.78	2.31	0.87	1.36	1.19	1.13	0.74	0.48
2006	6.64	3.96	2.74	2.29	0.85	1.36	1.17	1.12	0.73	0.46
2005	6.56	3.91	2.69	2.28	0.83	1.35	1.15	1.11	0.73	0.45
2004	6.48	3.87	2.65	2.26	0.81	1.34	1.14	1.1	0.73	0.44
2003	6.39	3.83	2.6	2.24	0.79	1.33	1.12	1.09	0.73	0.43
2002	6.31	3.78	2.56	2.23	0.77	1.32	1.1	1.09	0.73	0.41
2001	6.23	3.74	2.51	2.21	0.75	1.32	1.08	1.08	0.73	0.4
2000	6.15	3.69	2.47	2.19	0.74	1.31	1.06	1.07	0.73	0.39
1999	6.07	3.65	2.42	2.17	0.72	1.3	1.04	1.07	0.73	0.38
1998	5.99	3.6	2.38	2.16	0.7	1.29	1.02	1.06	0.73	0.37
1997	5.91	3.56	2.33	2.14	0.68	1.29	1	1.05	0.73	0.36
1996	5.83	3.51	2.29	2.12	0.67	1.28	0.98	1.05	0.73	0.35
1995	5.74	3.46	2.24	2.1	0.65	1.27	0.96	1.04	0.73	0.34
1994	5.66	3.41	2.2	2.08	0.64	1.25	0.95	1.03	0.73	0.33
1993	5.58	3.36	2.15	2.05	0.62	1.24	0.93	1.02	0.73	0.32
1992	5.49	3.31	2.11	2.03	0.61	1.23	0.91	1.02	0.73	0.31
1991	5.41	3.18	2.07	2.01	0.6	1.21	0.89	1.01	0.79	0.3
1990	5.32	3.13	2.02	1.98	0.58	1.19	0.87	1	0.79	0.3
1989	5.22	3.07	1.98	1.95	0.57	1.17	0.85	0.99	0.79	0.29
1988	5.13	3.01	1.93	1.92	0.55	1.15	0.83	0.99	0.78	0.28
1987	5.04	2.95	1.89	1.88	0.54	1.13	0.82	0.98	0.78	0.27
1986	4.95	2.89	1.84	1.85	0.52	1.11	0.8	0.97	0.77	0.27
1985	4.86	2.83	1.8	1.82	0.51	1.09	0.78	0.96	0.77	0.26
1984	4.78	2.77	1.76	1.79	0.49	1.07	0.76	0.96	0.77	0.25
1983	4.69	2.72	1.72	1.76	0.48	1.05	0.75	0.95	0.76	0.25
1982	4.61	2.67	1.67	1.73	0.47	1.04	0.73	0.94	0.76	0.24
1981	4.52	2.61	1.63	1.71	0.45	1.02	0.71	0.94	0.75	0.23
1980	4.44	2.56	1.59	1.68	0.44	1.01	0.7	0.93	0.75	0.23
1979	4.37	2.51	1.55	1.65	0.43	0.99	0.68	0.92	0.75	0.23
1978	4.29	2.47	1.51	1.63	0.42	0.98	0.67	0.91	0.74	0.22
1977	4.22	2.42	1.48	1.6	0.41	0.97	0.65	0.9	0.74	0.21
1976	4.14	2.37	1.44	1.58	0.4	0.95	0.64	0.9	0.73	0.21
1975	4.07	2.32	1.41	1.55	0.39	0.93	0.62	0.89	0.73	0.2
1974	4	2.27	1.38	1.52	0.38	0.92	0.61	0.88	0.72	0.2
1973	3.92	2.22	1.35	1.49	0.37	0.9	0.6	0.87	0.72	0.19
1972	3.84	2.17	1.32	1.46	0.36	0.88	0.58	0.87	0.71	0.19
1971	3.77	2.12	1.29	1.43	0.35	0.85	0.57	0.86	0.71	0.18
1970	3.7	2.07	1.26	1.4	0.34	0.83	0.56	0.85	0.7	0.18
1969	3.62	2.02	1.23	1.37	0.33	0.81	0.55	0.84	0.7	0.17
1968	3.55	1.97	1.2	1.34	0.32	0.79	0.53	0.83	0.69	0.17
1967	3.48	1.92	1.17	1.31	0.31	0.77	0.52	0.82	0.69	0.16
1966	3.41	1.88	1.14	1.28	0.31	0.75	0.51	0.81	0.68	0.16
1965	3.34	1.83	1.12	1.25	0.3	0.73	0.5	0.8	0.68	0.16
1964	3.27	1.79	1.09	1.22	0.29	0.71	0.49	0.79	0.67	0.15
1963	3.2	1.75	1.07	1.18	0.28	0.7	0.48	0.78	0.66	0.15
1962	3.13	1.72	1.04	1.15	0.28	0.69	0.47	0.78	0.65	0.15
1961	3.07	1.69	1.02	1.13	0.27	0.68	0.46	0.77	0.65	0.14