Global meat consumption surges
The average person now eats about six times as much chicken and twice as much pork as their grandparents' generation did, according to a new United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report. Global meat supply has risen fourfold in the last 60 years, from 25 kg per person in 1961 to 47 kg per person in 2022.
Poultry consumption saw the largest increase, rising from under 3 kg per person in 1961 to 17 kg per person in 2022. Pork consumption doubled from 7.5 kg to 15 kg per person. Beef consumption remained flat at about 9 kg per person over the same period.
Environmental concerns mount
Agriculture is the second most polluting sector globally. The FAO projects that planet-heating emissions from agriculture will rise 7.6 percent over the next decade, with livestock responsible for roughly 80 percent of that increase. Animal agriculture causes 12 to 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions and is a leading driver of biodiversity loss.
The report also found that 14 percent of meat and milk is lost during production or wasted after reaching retail. Earth has already warmed by about 1.4 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times.
Unequal access and criticism of the report
The report highlights regional inequality in meat consumption. Daniela Battaglia, FAO livestock officer and report co-author, said the distribution of animal products is still very unequal. High-income countries maintain high and stable consumption, while low-income countries cannot afford animal products at the same level.
Critics say the FAO report documents the problem but stops short of recommending that wealthy nations eat less meat. Cleo Verkuijl of the Stockholm Environment Institute said the report's framing obscures strong evidence that high levels of meat consumption have negative environmental impacts. The FAO defended its approach, saying it focuses on technological solutions to reduce emissions rather than reducing livestock production itself.