Meat production

Meat production worldwide, in developing and developed countries in million tonnes carcass weight equivalent for the years 2008 and 2018 – and the corresponding increase in per cent.

Just how much meat can we eat?

Worldwide, 337 million tonnes of meat were produced in 2018, a figure slightly higher than the 329 million tonnes projected by OECD and FAO for that year. Global meat production increased by 20% compared to ten years earlier, with growth more pronounced in developing countries, which experienced an overall increase of 26% during the period. In 2018, developing countries’ share in global meat production was 62%, up from 59% in 2008. It should however be noted that large amounts of meat are traded internationally, and that figures for meat production in one region do not necessarily correspond with meat supply or consumption in that same region. OECD and FAO predict that production will reach almost 364 million tonnes by 2028, with developing countries accounting for 74% of the additional output and the increase in production varying according to the region. In the short-term, however, global meat production in 2020 is forecast to fall to 333 million tonnes (carcass weight equivalent), largely due to the African swine fever in Asian countries and COVID-19-related market disruptions.