Meat lovers may be in for a surprise when they see our list of 8 countries that produce the most beef in the world. If you are buying your beef in supermarkets and not in your local meat shop, chances are that bought beef comes from one of these countries.
Beef is world’s third most consumed meat in the world and occupies 25% of all meat production in the world. Since you are probably curious about the most consumed meats in the world, pork holds the top with poultry coming at the close second place.
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Thanks to being an excellent source of minerals and proteins, beef is an important part of cuisine all over the world. The United States, Brazil, and China are world’s overall leading beef consumers, but when it comes to beef consumption per capita, Uruguay tops the charts. If you want to know more about overall meat consumption in the world, be sure to check our list of 10 countries that eat the most meat.
To find out 8 countries that produce the most beef in the world, we looked at United States Department of Agriculture report about world’s livestock and poultry trends. All other available sources have the same or similar numbers. In this report, as well as in others, there is joint data on European Union beef production, while single data about beef production show that there are no EU countries that could be on our list. We ranked the countries according to their beef production data from April 2016. The production is expressed in 1,000 Metric Tons. Note: We didn’t include the European Union on the list; since that is not a country, but it is important to say that EU countries combined produce 7,680 metric tons. of beef.
8. Pakistan
Production: 1,775 Metric Tons
In the last 5 years, Pakistan stepped up and increased its beef production for roughly 500 metric tons surpassing Russia. Beef plays an important part in Pakistan’s cuisine as well as in export.
7. Mexico
Production: 1,865 Metric Tons
There has been an increasing demand for beef in Mexico through the years while production has stayed the same. Because of that, the main part of the Mexico’s beef production ends up on the domestic market. To meet the demand, Mexico is forced to import the beef as well.
6. Australia
Production: 2,180 Metric Tons
Australia has cut their beef production by roughly 15% comparing to the last year. This is strange since Australia is world’s second largest exporter of beef in the world.
5. Argentina
Production: 2,680 Metric Tons
Beef plays a crucial part in Argentina’s cuisine, with the country having world’s second-highest consumption rate of beef. On a yearly level, the consumption is around 120 pounds per person. Due this fact, most of the beef produced in Argentina ends up on the domestic market.
4. India
Production: 4,300 Metric Tons
Seeing India among 8 countries that produce the most beef in the world is sure a surprise for those familiar with Hindu tradition. This is due the fact that most of the beef produced and exported belongs to water buffalo, an animal that is usually not considered holy in Hinduism. India also surpassed Brazil as the leading beef exporter. Although the country is trying to regulate beef production, there are over 30,000 illegal slaughterhouses operating in India compared to 3,600 legal ones.
3. China
Production: 6,785 Metric Tons
China is keeping its beef production steady through the past 5 years, with demand increasing over that time. Because of this, China started importing large quantities of beef, with beef production also increasing comparing to 2015.
2. Brazil
Production: 9,620 Metric Tons
Brazil was the largest beef exporter in the world until India surpassed it in 2015. Beef production and export plays an important part in the economy of Brazil so it is understandable that country started increasing its production compared to 2015.
1. United States
Production: 11,328 Metric Tons
It is only logical that the United States claim the top spot on our 8 countries that produce the most beef in the world since they are world’s biggest consumers. In the past couple years, the United States have been decreasing and increasing its beef production, but they ultimately still keep the throne. Beef production isn’t only aimed at the domestic market, since the United States are among the world’s biggest exporters as well.
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