Global meat production reached 374 million tonnes in 2024, up 7 million tonnes from the previous year. Poultry — specifically chicken — has overtaken pork as the world's most-produced meat, driven by its affordability, lower environmental footprint per kilogram, and fewer cultural or religious restrictions. Beef, lamb, and goat meat round out the top five, with chicken and pork together accounting for over 70% of all meat produced globally.
Asia is the largest meat-producing region, led by China for pork and Brazil and the United States for poultry and beef. The mix of meat types varies dramatically by region, reflecting cultural preferences, economic development, and agricultural conditions.
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Annual production (million tonnes)
Annual production (million tonnes)
Chicken (Poultry Meat)
146 million tonnes
Pig Meat (Pork)
125 million tonnes
Cattle Meat (Beef & Veal)
76 million tonnes
Sheep Meat (Mutton & Lamb)
16 million tonnes
Turkey Meat
6 million tonnes
Goat Meat
6 million tonnes
Duck Meat
5 million tonnes
Buffalo Meat (Carabeef)
4 million tonnes
Horse Meat
1 million tonnes
Rabbit Meat
1 million tonnes
The ranking
1
Chicken (Poultry Meat)
Chicken is the world's most-produced meat, with approximately 146 million tonnes annually. Poultry production has grown rapidly over the past two decades, overtaking pork in the early 2020s. Chicken's popularity is driven by its relatively low cost, high feed-conversion efficiency, broad cultural acceptance, and its perception as a healthier meat option compared to red meat. The United States, Brazil, and China are the top producers.
Animal type: PoultryTop producer: United StatesFeed conversion ratio: ~1.7 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~39%
2
Pig Meat (Pork)
Pork is the second most-produced meat globally at approximately 125 million tonnes annually. China is by far the largest pork producer and consumer, accounting for nearly half of global production. The African swine fever outbreaks of 2018–2020 significantly reduced China's pig herd, but production has since recovered. Pork is the most-consumed meat in Europe and East Asia but is avoided in Muslim-majority and Jewish populations due to religious dietary restrictions.
Animal type: Livestock (pig)Top producer: ChinaFeed conversion ratio: ~3.0 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~33%
3
Cattle Meat (Beef & Veal)
Beef and veal production totals approximately 76 million tonnes annually. Cattle farming requires significantly more land and water per kilogram of meat than poultry or pork, making beef the most resource-intensive major meat. The United States, Brazil, and China are the top producers. Argentina, Australia, and India are also significant producers, though India's beef production is primarily water buffalo meat (carabeef) for export.
Animal type: Livestock (cattle)Top producer: United StatesFeed conversion ratio: ~6–10 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~20%
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4
Sheep Meat (Mutton & Lamb)
Sheep meat production totals approximately 16 million tonnes annually. Lamb and mutton are particularly important in Middle Eastern, North African, Central Asian, and Australian cuisines. China is the largest producer, followed by Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey. Sheep are well-suited to arid and semi-arid grazing lands where cattle cannot thrive.
Animal type: Livestock (sheep)Top producer: ChinaFeed conversion ratio: ~4–5 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~4%
5
Turkey Meat
Turkey meat production totals approximately 6 million tonnes annually, with the United States alone accounting for nearly half of global production. Turkey is a deeply seasonal meat in most markets, with demand surging around Thanksgiving in the United States and Christmas in Europe and the United Kingdom. Brazil, Germany, Italy, and France are also significant producers.
Animal type: PoultryTop producer: United StatesFeed conversion ratio: ~2.5 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~1.6%
6
Goat Meat
Goat meat production totals approximately 6 million tonnes annually, making it roughly comparable to turkey in volume. Goat meat is widely consumed in developing regions, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, where goats are valued for their adaptability to harsh environments and their ability to thrive on marginal grazing land. China, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Bangladesh are the top producers.
Animal type: Livestock (goat)Top producer: ChinaFeed conversion ratio: ~3–4 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~1.6%
7
Duck Meat
Duck meat production totals approximately 5 million tonnes annually. Duck is a significant meat source in East and Southeast Asian cuisines, particularly in China, which produces over 60% of the global total. France, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Myanmar are also major producers. Duck meat is prized for its rich flavor and is used in iconic dishes such as Peking duck, confit de canard, and roast duck.
Animal type: PoultryTop producer: ChinaFeed conversion ratio: ~2.7 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~1.3%
8
Buffalo Meat (Carabeef)
Water buffalo meat, commonly called carabeef, totals approximately 4 million tonnes annually. India is the world's largest producer and exporter of buffalo meat, which is a significant protein source in Southeast Asia, Egypt, and the Philippines. Buffalo meat is leaner than beef and has a similar flavor profile, making it a popular beef alternative in many markets.
Animal type: Livestock (water buffalo)Top producer: IndiaFeed conversion ratio: ~4–6 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~1.1%
9
Horse Meat
Horse meat production totals approximately 1 million tonnes annually. Consumption is concentrated in a limited number of countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, and several European nations (particularly France, Belgium, and Italy). Horse meat is controversial in many Western countries, where horses are viewed primarily as companion animals, but it remains a traditional protein source in Central Asia and parts of Europe.
Animal type: Livestock (horse)Top producer: ChinaFeed conversion ratio: ~5–7 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~0.3%
10
Rabbit Meat
Rabbit meat production totals approximately 1 million tonnes annually. Rabbit meat is a significant protein source in Mediterranean countries, China, and parts of Europe. It is prized for its lean, high-protein meat and efficient feed conversion. China is the largest producer, followed by Italy, Spain, France, and Egypt. Rabbit farming has a relatively low environmental footprint compared to other meat sources.
Animal type: Small livestockTop producer: ChinaFeed conversion ratio: ~3.5 kg feed per kg meatShare of global meat: ~0.3%
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Full comparison
#
Name
Animal type
Top producer
Feed conversion ratio
Share of global meat
1
Chicken (Poultry Meat)
Poultry
United States
~1.7 kg feed per kg meat
~39%
2
Pig Meat (Pork)
Livestock (pig)
China
~3.0 kg feed per kg meat
~33%
3
Cattle Meat (Beef & Veal)
Livestock (cattle)
United States
~6–10 kg feed per kg meat
~20%
4
Sheep Meat (Mutton & Lamb)
Livestock (sheep)
China
~4–5 kg feed per kg meat
~4%
5
Turkey Meat
Poultry
United States
~2.5 kg feed per kg meat
~1.6%
6
Goat Meat
Livestock (goat)
China
~3–4 kg feed per kg meat
~1.6%
7
Duck Meat
Poultry
China
~2.7 kg feed per kg meat
~1.3%
8
Buffalo Meat (Carabeef)
Livestock (water buffalo)
India
~4–6 kg feed per kg meat
~1.1%
9
Horse Meat
Livestock (horse)
China
~5–7 kg feed per kg meat
~0.3%
10
Rabbit Meat
Small livestock
China
~3.5 kg feed per kg meat
~0.3%
How we ranked this
Meats are ranked by total annual production in million metric tonnes, based on the most recent FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) data, primarily from the 2024 production year. Figures represent dressed carcass weight — the weight of the animal after slaughter, excluding offal and slaughter fats — which is the standard FAO measurement for meat production. Only meat from domesticated livestock and poultry is included; wild game, fish, and seafood are excluded. Rank 1 is the highest production.
FAQ
What is the most-produced meat in the world?
Chicken (poultry meat) is the most-produced meat in the world, with approximately 146 million tonnes annually. It overtook pork in the early 2020s and has continued to grow, driven by its affordability, efficiency, and broad cultural acceptance.
How does meat production break down by type globally?
Chicken accounts for roughly 39% of global meat production, pork 33%, beef 20%, and all other meats (sheep, goat, turkey, duck, buffalo, horse, rabbit) combined account for the remaining 8%.
Which country is the largest meat producer?
China is the largest meat producer globally, driven primarily by its massive pork production. The United States is the second-largest producer, leading in poultry and beef. Brazil is the third-largest and has been growing rapidly in poultry and beef production.
Why is chicken more popular than beef globally?
Chicken has several advantages: it is cheaper per kilogram, has a much lower feed-conversion ratio (1.7 kg feed per kg of meat vs. 6–10 kg for beef), produces fewer greenhouse gases per kilogram, faces fewer religious or cultural restrictions, and is widely perceived as a healthier meat option.