Global meat production is showing growth of over two percent this year. After two years of decline due to African swine fever, global production will increase to 346 million tons. Meat trade remains roughly stable as China begins producing again itself.
The modest production growth is mainly driven by China, although production in Brazil, Vietnam, the United States, and the European Union is also expected to rise. Conversely, the FAO Food Outlook report forecasts declining production for Australia, the Philippines, and Argentina.
Within global meat production, pork is expected to grow by over 4%, though still 5% below the level before the outbreak of ASF and the coronavirus. Beef will increase by one percent, as will sheep meat. Poultry meat production is expected to rise by 1.3 percent in 2021 to 135 million tons. Growth is especially anticipated from the US, Brazil, and China.
Significant investments in China, particularly to build large-scale farms and processing plants, support the Chinese production growth. In Brazil, growing exports—mainly to East Asia and the Middle East—are driving the increase.
Worldwide, the United Nations expects production increases due to high demand for affordable meat, especially in countries whose economies are still recovering slowly after the coronavirus pandemic.