Over the past twenty years, global beef production has slightly decreased and pork production has been significantly reduced, but poultry consumption has more than doubled. Research from three Australian universities also shows that in wealthy Western countries, the maximum meat consumption might have even been reached, while it continues to rise in emerging economies.
Between 2000 and 2019, major changes in meat consumption occurred worldwide. The research showed that beef consumption fell by 3.9% from 22.8% to 18.9% between 2000 and 2019.
Pork consumption per capita slightly increased in China and rose significantly in Vietnam. In total, 19 countries experienced an increase in pork consumption per capita, while in 7 countries consumption declined.
Currently, poultry is the most popular meat worldwide (rising from 10% to 15%), followed by pork, beef, and then sheep and goat meat. In most of the studied countries (26 out of 35), meat consumption increased substantially, with the largest rises in Russia, Vietnam, and Peru. The study showed that per capita poultry consumption more than doubled in 13 countries.
The share of pork in total meat consumption has decreased over the past twenty years. In Vietnam and China, pork once accounted for two-thirds of meat consumption, but this has now decreased to half. Although African swine fever was not cited as a cause in the Australian research, it is plausible that the reduction in supply caused this decline.
Several countries appeared to have reached peak consumption for certain types of meat, with three (New Zealand, Canada, and Switzerland) having reached this peak. Poultry consumption increased over time in most countries, while beef and sheep/lamb consumption declined in many countries.
A general decrease in total meat consumption was observed in six countries. The most notable reductions were seen in New Zealand and Switzerland. In countries with declining pork consumption trends, the changes were small in magnitude, except in Canada, where consumption dropped from 22.6 kg per capita in 2000 to 16.3 kg per capita in 2019.
The research further showed that the increase in meat consumption mainly occurs in countries with growing economies, but it is not limitless. In wealthy countries, consumer behavior is different. There appears to be a turning point around $40,000 GDP per capita, after which an increase in economic prosperity does not lead to higher meat consumption.
The researchers stated they found evidence for this when trying to link gross domestic product (GDP) per capita with per capita meat consumption. They found a direct relationship between rising consumption and increasing wealth in emerging economies, but no such relationship in higher-income countries.