Global Meat Supply Quadruples Over The Past Six Decades

The global supply of animal-based food products has increased significantly over the past six decades – mainly eggs, poultry and pork – according to a new study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The report found that poultry meat showed the most pronounced growth, approximately five-fold, followed by eggs and pig meat – both of which nearly doubled, while beef products remained stable or declined in many regions.

In 2022, global production reached 361 million tonnes of meat, up from around 71 million tonnes in 1961.

The production of milk was 930 million tonnes up from approximately 342 million tonnes, while egg production in the same period increased from 15 million tonnes to 94 million tonnes.

Loss and waste Per capita land animal products supply remains highest in Northern America, while in Asia – despite being the leading producer – meat is still relatively hard to get hold of.

In sub-Saharan Africa, per capita supply has remained largely stagnant, with only limited gains in certain countries, such as milk in Kenya and poultry in South Africa.

Food loss and waste further exacerbate these disparities and present a growing sustainability challenge.

An estimated one-third of all food produced globally never reaches the plate, including roughly 14 per cent of animal food products. Losses are often linked to inadequate cold chain infrastructure and poor temperature control.