Democratic Republic of the Congo: Country with the Lowest Meat Consumption Worldwide

Global meat consumption has quadrupled since 1961, both per capita and in absolute numbers. A 2021 study published in the National Library of Medicine shows that around 80 billion animals are slaughtered annually for human consumption, resulting in approximately 340 million tons of meat. The increase in the human population is one of the main reasons for the expansion of livestock farming. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook expects global meat production to continue rising until 2030, with China, Brazil, and the USA being the primary drivers of this growth. Poultry production, in particular, is expected to significantly contribute to the forecasted growth. Global meat protein consumption is expected to grow by 14% by 2030 compared to the consumption trends of 2018-2020. Population growth and rising average incomes are the main drivers of this growth. The availability of proteins from poultry is expected to increase by 17.8% by 2030, while the availability of beef, pork, and lamb is expected to grow at a slower pace: 5.9% for beef, 13.2% for pork, and 15.7% for lamb. However, these trends do not apply equally to all countries worldwide. In high-income countries, aging populations, changing consumer preferences, and a slowdown in population growth are leading to a stabilization in per capita meat consumption. The trend towards higher quality meat cuts and increased poultry consumption is particularly pronounced in these countries. In low-income countries, poultry consumption is primarily growing due to lower costs. In the USA, the average resident consumes approximately 224.6 pounds of meat per year. Despite a temporary reduction in 2022, meat consumption reached a record high in 2021 and remains at a high level. Changes in consumption behavior are driving companies in the industry to advance new product developments. Tyson Foods recently opened a $300 million production facility in Virginia, one of the company's most advanced plants, producing four million pounds of high-quality poultry products weekly. Another plant in Kentucky, which opened at the beginning of the year, is focused on producing premium bacon and is expected to produce two million pounds weekly. These strategic measures aim to expand market leadership and meet the growing demand for meat products. Now to the country with the lowest meat consumption worldwide: The Democratic Republic of Congo tops the list with only 3.03 kilograms of meat consumed per capita annually. In comparison, residents of Hong Kong and the USA consume 146.85 and 126.83 kilograms of meat per year, respectively. The DRC, with around 6.9 million internally displaced persons, is one of the countries with the most severe humanitarian crises globally. Supply shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, and years of conflict are the main causes of the country’s difficult situation. For further insights into similar topics, we recommend reviewing our reports on the countries with the highest meat consumption and the leading meat-producing countries worldwide.