Global meat production has quadrupled over 60 years, driven by poultry growth

Global meat production has increased more than fourfold over the past six decades, rising from 71 mln tons in 1961 to 361 mln tons in 2022, according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The organization says the rapid expansion of poultry production has been the main driver behind this growth.

FAO data show that chicken meat recorded the strongest growth among all major meat categories. Global per capita availability of poultry increased from less than 3 kg to around 17 kg per year, supported by better feed conversion efficiency, shorter production cycles, technological advances, and expanding poultry industries in many countries.

By comparison, global pork production only doubled during the same period, while beef production remained relatively stable and even declined in some regions. According to FAO, the development of the poultry sector has fundamentally reshaped the global supply of animal protein.

Despite the increase in total production, access to meat remains uneven across regions. Although Asia is now the world’s largest meat-producing region, per capita meat availability is still relatively low. In Sub-Saharan Africa, meat availability has changed little over the past 60 years, highlighting persistent challenges in access to animal protein.

FAO also points to the issue of food waste. The organization estimates that around one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, with the greatest losses occurring in regions where cold-chain infrastructure remains underdeveloped. Reducing these losses is considered one of the key priorities for improving global food security.