In this article, we will look at the 20 countries with the lowest meat consumption in the world. But before that, let’s take an overview of meat consumption trends across the globe.
Trends in Global Meat Protein Consumption
Global meat consumption has quadrupled since 1961, both in per capita and absolute terms. A 2021 study published in the National Library of Medicine shows that around 80 billion animals are slaughtered yearly for human consumption, producing around 340 million tonnes of meat. The growing human population is one of the primary reasons behind the expansion of livestock. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook anticipates global meat production to continue expanding till 2030, with elevated per-animal productivity and herd and flock expansion in China and the Americas supporting this growth. China is expected to account for a significant chunk of the overall growth in meat production, followed closely by Brazil and the US. However, poultry production is anticipated to drive much of the projected growth.
Global meat protein consumption is also projected to grow by 14% by 2030, as compared to the consumption trends in 2018-2020. Population growth and increase in average income are the primary drivers behind this growth. While protein availability from poultry is anticipated to increase by 17.8% by 2030, beef, pork, and sheep meat is also projected to grow, albeit at a slower rate. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook anticipates a 5.9% increase in protein availability from beef, 13.2% from pork, and 15.7% from sheep meat.
However, these trends do not strictly apply to every country across the globe. Aging, consumer preference changes, and slowing down of population growth in high-income countries are expected to lead to a level out in per capita meat consumption. More and more high-income countries are anticipated to shift towards high-valued meat cuts, along with an increased consumption of poultry. Lower-income countries are also expected to experience a growth in poultry consumption, primarily because of the lower cost of poultry. The roots of this trend in high-income countries are different: it is predominantly driven by an increased inclination towards white meat due to its ease of preparation and perception as a healthier food option. Poultry meat is thus expected to account for nearly 41% of all protein from meat sources by 2030, with global shares of beef, sheepmeat, and pigmeat standing at 20%, 5%, and 34%, respectively.
Meat Consumption in the US: Is It Increasing or Decreasing?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average US resident consumes around 224.6 pounds of meat per year, which includes pork, beef, turkey, and broilers. Meat consumption in the country reached an all-time high in 2021, falling briefly in 2022 but still standing as the second-highest record year. However, the US meat market is undergoing shifts due to changing consumer preferences, affecting consumption patterns.
According to the Power of Meat study, US consumers are shifting their focus on product quality and value. Consumers are now willing to pay more for grass-fed, high-grade, premium, and locally-grown meat products, highlighting an increasing demand for specialty meat production. An increasing inclination towards natural and organic meat products is also shifting consumer focus, highlighting an inclination towards environmentally friendly and sustainable consumption choices. You can look at 15 Most Consumed Meats in the World for more insight.
Changing Meat Consumption Market Trends
The changes in consumption patterns across the country are causing companies in the industry to actively pursue new product developments, acquisitions, and research to augment their market standing. Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) is one of the prominent names in the field. This multinational corporation is based in Arkansas, and is the world’s second-largest marketer and processor of beef, chicken, and pork. It exports the highest percentage of beef out of the country and aims to expand its market standing by redirecting attention to restructuring and increasing operational efficiency. These improvements are primarily directed to its poultry business to cater to the increasing inclination towards chicken across the globe. The company opened a $300 million food production facility in Virginia at the end of last year to boost its long-term growth and efficiency. Considered one of the most automated plants held by the company to date, the 325,000 square facility holds the capacity to produce around four million pounds of fully-cooked, premium-quality poultry products every week to meet the demands of the Tyson® brand products in food service and retail.
However, poultry is not the only center of focus for the company: Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) also opened a $355 million food production facility in Kentucky at the start of the year to significantly expand its bacon production capacity. The 400,000-square-foot plant is projected to produce about two million pounds of premium quality bacon retail products a week, allowing the company to capitalize on its category leadership and increase its product market. The plant will also produce bacon used in food service, meeting the needs of the company’s bacon production category, which will drive more than $1 billion in sales across food service and retail.
Now that we have taken an overview of meat consumption trends across the globe, let’s look at the 20 countries with the lowest meat consumption in the world. You can also look at Top 20 Countries with the Highest Meat Consumption and Top 20 Meat Producing Countries in the World.
20 Countries with the Lowest Meat Consumption In The World
Our Methodology
To compile a list of the countries with the lowest meat consumption in the world, we obtained the annual meat consumption data of countries from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The 20 countries with the lowest meat consumption in the world are arranged in descending order of their per capita meat consumption per year in kilograms.
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20 Countries with the Lowest Meat Consumption In The World
20. Cambodia
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 12.64 Kilograms
Cambodia takes the 20th spot on our list of the 20 countries with the lowest meat consumption in the world. The country’s per capita meat consumption stands at 12.64 kilograms per year. Located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia has a population of 16.77 million people as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank.
19. Côte d’Ivoire
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 12.62 Kilograms
Côte d’Ivoire is a West African country known for its picturesque landscape dotted with beaches and dense rainforests. According to estimates by the World Bank, the country has a population of 28.16 million people as of 2022, and ranks 19th on our list.
18. Tanzania
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 12.09 Kilograms
The 18th spot on our list of the countries with the lowest meat consumption is held by Tanzania, an East African country renowned for its vast wilderness. The country’s famed Serengeti National Park is home to the “big five,” including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo.
17. Sri Lanka
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 11.99 Kilograms
Sri Lanka consumes 11.99 kilograms per capita of meat per year, taking the 17th spot on our list. This island country is located in South Asia in the Indian Ocean, with the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar separating it from the Indian peninsula. According to estimates by the World Bank, the country has a population of 22.81 million people as of 2022.
16. Sierra Leone
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 11.68 Kilograms
Sierra Leone is a small West African country located on the Atlantic Ocean, with its coastline made up of white-sand beaches dotting the Freetown Peninsula. The country has a predominantly tropical climate, with diverse wildlife and a landscape ranging from rainforests to savannahs.
15. Mozambique
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 10.38 Kilograms
Located in southeast Africa, the Republic of Mozambique borders the Indian Ocean to its east and boasts a picturesque coastline lined with scenic beaches and offshore marine parks. It has a population of 32.97 million as of 2022 according to the World Bank, and ranks 15th on our list.
14. Kenya
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 10.25 Kilograms
The 14th spot on our list of the 20 countries with the lowest meat consumption in the world is held by Kenya, the East African country with a coastline on the Indian Ocean. The country’s landscape is lined with mountain highlands, beaches, lakelands, savannahs, and diverse wildlife.
13. Togo
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 9.42 Kilograms
The per capita meat consumption in Togo stands at 9.42 kilograms per year, granting the country the 13th spot on our list. Officially known as the Togolese Republic, Togo is a narrow strip of land located on the west coast of the African continent, bordering Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Benin.
12. Uganda
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 9.38 Kilograms
The landlocked country of Uganda is located in East Africa, boasting diverse wildlife that includes exotic birds and chimpanzees. Its diverse landscape spans around around the snow-covered Rwenzori Mountains and the vast Lake Victoria.
11. Afghanistan
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 8.74 Kilograms
Afghanistan ranks 11th on our list of the countries with the lowest meat consumption in the world, with a per capita meat consumption of 8.74 kilograms per year. The landlocked country is located at the junction of South Asia and Central Asia.
10. Niger
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 8.12 Kilograms
Officially known as the Republic of Niger, the West African country is a unitary state that borders Algeria, Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Libya, and Chad. It has a per capita meat consumption of 8.12 kilograms per year.
9. Mali
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 7.81 Kilograms
According to the World Bank, approximately 22.59 million people live in the Republic of Mali as of 2022. The landlocked country is located in West Africa, and mostly lies in the Sahelian and Saharan regions of the continent.
8. Rwanda
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 7.62 Kilograms
Rwanda has a per capita meat consumption of 7.62 kilograms per year, earning it the eighth spot on our list. Officially known as the Republic of Rwanda, the landlocked country is located in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. This region is also known as the converging point of Southeast Africa and the African Great Lakes region.
7. Ethiopia
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 7.14 Kilograms
The landlocked country of Ethiopia lies in the Horn of Africa in the eastern wing of the African continent. As of 2022, it houses around 123.4 million people, and is so rich in history and ancient culture that some of its archaeological finds date back more than three million years.
6. Nigeria
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 6.96 Kilograms
With a per capita meat consumption of 6.96 kilograms per year, Nigeria ranks sixth on our list of the 20 countries with the lowest meat consumption in the world. The West African country lies on the Gulf of Guinea and is known for its numerous wildlife reserves and natural landmarks.
5. India
Per Capita Meat Consumption Per Year: 5.69 Kilograms
The South Asian country of India is the largest in the world by population as of June 2023, crossing China. It is the most populous democracy in the world, and holds the fifth spot on our list.
