Emily Carter
Fish, pigs, and chickens are all commonly consumed animals globally, with the consumption of each varying across different countries and cultures. While the consumption of these animals can be influenced by various factors such as cultural practices, religious beliefs, and dietary preferences, it is important to examine the trends and preferences in different parts of the world to understand which of these is consumed the least globally. By analysing data on meat production and consumption patterns, as well as cultural preferences, we can gain insights into the relative consumption of fish, pigs, and chickens worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most consumed meat globally | Poultry meat |
| Second most consumed meat globally | Pork |
| Third most consumed meat globally | Beef |
| Number of chickens slaughtered for meat | Highest |
| Number of pigs slaughtered for meat | Second highest |
| Country with highest per capita consumption of meat | Hong Kong |
| Country with highest per capita consumption of fish and seafood | Iceland |
| Country with highest per capita consumption of pork | Hong Kong |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken is the most consumed meat in the USA, India, and Iceland
In the USA, chicken is the most popular meat. In 2013, Americans had 57.7 pounds of chicken per person available to eat, compared to 53.6 pounds of beef and 43.4 pounds of pork. Chicken's popularity in the US is due to innovations in breeding, mass production, and processing, which have made it more plentiful, affordable, and convenient.
Chicken is also the most consumed meat in India. Poultry is one of the fastest-growing segments of the agricultural sector in India, with escalating demand for animal protein and a rising preference for processed poultry products. Chicken is India's preferred non-vegetarian protein source, as it is relatively low cost compared to other meats and is acceptable to all religions.
In Iceland, chicken is also the most consumed meat. Lamb is a close contender, as the country has a long tradition of sheep farming, and lamb is a popular choice due to the country's cold climate. However, chicken is consumed more, reflecting its worldwide popularity, affordability, and versatility.
Chicken is the most consumed meat globally due to its affordability and versatility, as well as the ease of raising chickens. Its popularity has also been influenced by the increasing demand for meat in developing countries and the rise of protein-rich diets.
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China consumes the most pork globally
Pork is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and cuisine. The character for meat in Chinese is synonymous with pork, indicating its prevalence in the diet. When a dish contains meat but does not specify the type, it is typically assumed to be pork. Additionally, the pig holds symbolic significance in China. It is associated with virility and strength, and pork is traditionally consumed by pregnant women and new mothers. The Chinese character for "home" or "family" is derived from the characters for "roof" and "pig", highlighting the integral role of the pig in family life.
China's high pork consumption is also influenced by the versatility of the meat. Almost all parts of the pig are utilized for food, including liver, kidney, intestines, and skin. This has led to a diverse range of pork dishes in Chinese cuisine, such as ham, sausages, braised pig's trotters, and blood cubes used in soup.
Furthermore, China is the leading producer of pig meat globally, contributing a substantial portion of the world's pig meat output. The country has the world's largest pig population, estimated at 700 million. The domestication of pigs in ancient China dates back to around 6000 BC, as evidenced by excavations in the Zengpiyan Cave in Guilin, Guangxi.
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Hong Kong leads the world in pork consumption per capita
While chicken and fish are the most consumed animals globally, Hong Kong leads the world in pork consumption per capita. Hong Kong's citizens have a particular predilection for pork and chicken, accounting for over 80% of the meat eaten, as these represent a staple of Cantonese cuisine. According to a 2018 study by Hong Kong University's Earth Sciences department, the city-state's love for meat is the primary contributor to its disproportionately high greenhouse gas emissions.
Hong Kong consumes 55.24 kilograms of pork per capita annually, which is almost equivalent to the average amount of retail pork harvested from a single 250-pound pig. This figure is significantly higher than that of other countries, with Poland and Spain, who are also top pork producers, ranking close behind Hong Kong with similar consumption numbers.
Hong Kong's overall meat consumption is 5.5 times the international average, and its citizens have one of the highest life expectancies despite this. The United States sits in second place in overall meat consumption, eating 128.63 kilograms per capita annually. This is not surprising, given that America's per capita daily calorie intake is higher than that of any other country.
The preference for pork in Hong Kong can be attributed to its local history of pork foods and the influence of Cantonese cuisine. However, it is important to note that Hong Kong also has a growing preference for seafood, which may impact its pork consumption in the future.
As the world grapples with climate change and environmental degradation, understanding and potentially altering meat consumption patterns, especially in high-consumption regions like Hong Kong, could play a crucial role in mitigating the damage.
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Japan consumes the most fish and seafood
While there is no information on which is consumed the least out of fish, pigs, or chicken globally, it is clear that chicken is the most popular meat worldwide. Fish, on the other hand, is consumed at very different rates in different countries.
The global average consumption of fish and seafood reached a record high of 20.5 kilograms per person in 2019, continuing a continuous upward trend from 9.9 kilograms in the 1960s. This increase is astonishing and no other animal protein source has kept up with this rate of growth. The FAO predicts that per capita consumption will continue to rise, reaching 21.5 kilograms per person by 2030.
With Japan at the top of the list for fish consumption, other high-consuming countries include Iceland, the Maldives, Portugal, and South Korea. These countries consume more than 80 kilograms of aquatic foods per person per year on average. Coastal nations tend to have a higher fish consumption, and this is certainly true of Iceland and the Maldives.
To meet the soaring demand for fish, aquaculture has played an increasingly large role in global supply. This involves growing and harvesting fish and marine animals, rather than catching them in the wild. However, aquaculture has been criticized for its lack of sustainability, particularly in terms of the large amounts of fish meal and soy fed to farmed fish, and the use of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
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Norway consumes a significant amount of fish and seafood
While chickens top the list for the highest number of animals slaughtered for meat, pigs are a close second. However, when it comes to consumption, pig meat holds the distinction of being the most consumed meat globally. China, the leading producer of pig meat, contributes a substantial portion of the world's pig meat output, with pork accounting for 62% of the nation's meat consumption.
Now, let's delve into Norway's significant consumption of fish and seafood:
Norway has a long history of seafood consumption and is known for its avid appetite for fish and seafood products. In fact, Norway is the world's largest exporter of fish and seafood in terms of value, second only to China. Within Europe, Norwegians are among the top consumers of seafood, surpassed only by the Icelandics and the Portuguese. This high consumption is closely tied to Norway's extensive coastline, providing ideal conditions for domestic fishing. The seafood industry is of immense importance to Norway's economy, generating significant revenue through the processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Norway's consumption of seafood has, however, witnessed a decline in recent years. Studies show that between 2013 and 2017, consumption of various species, including salmon, cod, shrimp, mackerel, and trout, consistently decreased across all age groups, except for the elderly. This trend is concerning, especially among young adults, as eating habits tend to settle around the age of 30. To counter this decline, authorities and institutions are working to understand the reasons behind the shift and develop strategies to promote seafood consumption.
Despite the overall decline, Norway remains a prominent player in the global seafood industry. Salmon is the most consumed seafood in the country, and Norway is the largest producer and exporter of salmon worldwide. The sales volume and value of salmon have continued to rise, contributing significantly to Norway's economy. Norwegian companies like SalMar, the Lerøy Seafood Group, Cermaq, and Grieg Seafood are key contributors to the country's seafood sector.
In summary, Norway's consumption and export of fish and seafood are vital aspects of its economy and cultural traditions. While recent years have seen a slight shift away from seafood, Norway remains committed to promoting the numerous health benefits associated with seafood consumption and maintaining its position as a global leader in the seafood industry.
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Frequently asked questions
It is hard to say which is consumed the least as it depends on how you define meat and how you measure consumption. If we look at the number of animals slaughtered for meat, chickens are consumed the most, followed by pigs, and then other animals like turkeys, sheep, goats, and cattle. However, if we look at the total weight of meat consumed, then chicken is again the most consumed, followed by pig meat, with seafood also being widely consumed.
This depends on the region. In the US, chicken is consumed more than fish. In 2023, Americans consumed 16.6 pounds of seafood per capita, while they ate 67 pounds of chicken per capita in 2019. However, in Iceland, they eat the most seafood in the world, at 90 kg per person per year.
Hong Kong has the highest consumption of pork per capita at 55 kg per person per year. Poland and Spain are close behind with similar consumption numbers.
The US and China eat the most chicken in terms of absolute numbers. However, when looking at per capita consumption, several island nations, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Samoa, and Israel, eat more than 60 kg of poultry meat per person annually.
Whether fish is considered meat depends on cultural practices and dietary preferences. In science, fish is considered meat as it contains the primary components of meat, which are water, fat, and protein. However, some earlier definitions of meat focused only on mammals. For example, in Christianity, many denominations allow the consumption of fish on fasting days when abstaining from meat.
