Discover the World’s Surprising Most Consumed Meat: It’s Not Chicken!

In the United States, chicken often feels like the go-to protein. You can find it on every restaurant menu and in grocery stores as rotisserie chicken. It’s no wonder we say “winner, winner, chicken dinner.” Yet, globally, chicken is not the most consumed meat. That title actually belongs to pork.

Pork makes up about 36% of meat consumption worldwide, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Chicken follows closely at 33%, then beef at 24%, with goats and sheep at 5%. Americans may love fried chicken, but according to Statista, in 2024, the average American ate 102.1 pounds of chicken, 59.2 pounds of beef, and 50.7 pounds of pork annually. Interestingly, consumption of pork and beef in the U.S. is on the downturn, while global demand for pork remains strong.

So, why is pork so popular around the world? The answer lies in its versatility and affordability. In 2022, the average person in China consumed about 88.62 pounds of pork, compared to 38.58 pounds of chicken. This is significant given that China has over 1.4 billion people. Countries like Spain and Croatia also show high pork consumption, exceeding 120 pounds per person in 2022. These numbers highlight pork’s global dominance.

Pork is not just a staple; it’s also deeply woven into various cultures. Whether it’s Spanish hams or Korean bossam, pork features prominently in many traditional dishes. This rich history of consumption spans thousands of years, indicating why people continue to enjoy it.

As chicken competes with pork for the top spot in meat preferences, one thing is clear: pork is likely to remain a beloved choice across the world for years to come.

For more details on meat consumption trends, you can check out the original article on The Takeout.

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