World total meat production in 2023 is forecast to increase marginally to 364 million tonnes (carcass weight equivalent), according to an FAO report. 

Growth will be driven in part by an anticipated increase in global poultry meat production, which is forecast to expand the most by volume, facilitated by increased demand from the food services sector and its general appeal as a relatively affordable meat type, despite widespread outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and elevated feed prices. 

Global ovine meat production is also expected to increase in Asia and Oceania. 

By contrast, global pig meat production is expected to drop slightly, principally underpinned by a steep drop in output in Europe due to
the continued impact of the African swine fever virus, weaker producer margins and somewhat lower domestic demand. 

Global bovine meat production is also forecast to fall marginally on lower cattle inventories, high feed costs, forage shortages and lower carcass weight in several leading producing regions, despite some increases elsewhere.