International Egg and Poultry Review

GLOBAL - By the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This is a weekly report looking at international developments concerning the poultry industry. This week's report covers global meat projections.

22 July 2009

2 minute read

World Meat Projections

Global meat consumption is projected to increase due to the growing world population and increased per capita meat consumption.

Global population is projected to slow from an annual rate of 1.7 per cent in the 1980s to a more restrained 1.1 per cent per year for 2008-2017. Growth rates in most developing countries should remain above the rest of the world.

Rising incomes in developing countries are projected to result in stronger consumer demand for meat. Poultry products are competitive as they are relatively less expensive than beef or pork. According to FAO's June Food Outlook, poultry meat continues to be the most affordable meat.

Total meat per capita consumption in developing countries totaled 19.74 kg in 1997 but is projected to total 26.92 kg by 2015. During this time, poultry meat consumption will grow from 6.06 to 8.48 kg, pigmeat from 8.03 to 11.51 and beef and veal from 4.25 to 5.23 kg.

Sources: OECD-FAO extracted on July 17, 2008; USDA Long Term Projections February 2008; ERS Agricultural Baseline Projections: Global Trade, 2008-2017; FAO Food Outlook May 2008