Global Meat Industry - Statistics & Facts

As the demand for meat rises worldwide, so must the production of meat. Most of the world’s meat is produced in Asia, which generated 140 million metric tons of meat in 2016. Pork and poultry are the most widely produced types of meat, with sheep being the least produced. Although many people abstain from pork for nutritional or religious reasons, pork is widely consumed and produced in China and Europe. Some of the largest meat production companies in the world include Tyson, Hormel Foods, and National Beef.

In addition to producing the highest revenue from meat sales, the United States is also a major producer and exporter of meat, especially beef. The trade value of the U.S. beef industry amounted to about 6.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2017. Brazil is also a major exporter of meat, both in the form of broiler chickens and beef.

The projected per capita meat consumption is expected to remain steady at around 35 kilograms of meat per year. However, as the global population continues to climb, the overall consumption of meat is expected to rise steadily in the upcoming years. However, perhaps because of environmental or health reasons, red meat is expected to see a decline in consumption in the United States in the coming years.

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