December 19, 2022

FAO: Global meat production rose 45% in 2020, in comparison with 2000

Global meat production reached 337 million tonnes in 2020, up 45%, or 104 million tonnes compared with 2000, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Pig meat represented 33% of the total in 2020, compared to 39% in 2000. African swine fever started affecting Asian countries in late 2018 and continued in 2019 and 2020. It resulted in an 11 million tonnes decrease in global pig meat production between 2018 and 2019, with China being hardest hit and production constrained in 2020.

Globally, 110 million tonnes of pig meat were produced in 2020.

With 35% of the global production in 2020, chicken meat showed the largest growth in absolute and relative terms since 2000 (+104%, or 61 million tonnes) and was the most produced type of meat in 2020.

The share of cattle meat dropped from 24% in 2000 to 20% in 2020.

- FAO