Many people around the world enjoy beef, even with the rise of vegetarian diets. In 2020, a massive 130 billion pounds of beef were consumed globally¹. To understand how much beef people eat, we look at food supply and consumption values. These give us different numbers because they define food supply and consumption differently.

biggest beef consumers in the world

Key Takeaways

• Global beef consumption reached a record-breaking 130 billion pounds in 2020¹.
• Argentina topped the list for per-person beef supply with 103 pounds (46.93 kilograms) per person annually¹.
• The United States consumed 21% of the world’s beef in 2020, totaling nearly 27.6 billion pounds (12.5 billion kilograms)¹.
• The United States had a per capita beef supply of 83.48 pounds (37.87 kilograms) in 2020¹.
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo had the lowest beef supply of 0.57 pounds (0.26 kilograms) per person per year in 2020¹.

Global Beef Consumption and Measurement

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The world’s beef consumption and supply are tracked by different methods². Beef supply numbers show how much beef is available for people and businesses. This is usually more than what people actually eat. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations reports on beef supply globally, in kilograms per person each year².

Defining Food Supply and Consumption

Beef consumption is about how much beef people eat and not waste. The United States Department of Agriculture gives global beef consumption stats in pounds for a whole country².

Countries with the Highest Beef Supply and Consumption

Argentina has the most beef supply per person, with an average of 103 pounds (46.93 kilograms) a year². But the United States eats the most beef overall, with people there eating 21% of the world’s beef in 2020. This was almost 27.6 billion pounds (12.5 billion kilograms)³. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the least beef supply and consumption, with just 0.57 pounds (0.26 kilograms) per person a year in 2020².

The world beef consumption and supply are tracked in different ways. Beef supply shows the total amount available, while beef consumption shows what’s actually eaten. Argentina leads in per-capita beef supply, but the United States eats the most beef overall.²³

The Largest Beef Consumers in the World

The global love for beef is growing, and the United States leads in eating it. In 2020, Americans ate 21% of the world’s beef, that’s nearly 27.6 billion pounds⁴. But when looking at how much each person eats, the U.S. is third, with 83.48 pounds per person a year⁴.

United States: Leading Global Beef Consumption

The U.S. is the top beef eater in the world. Its big economy and love for beef make it a leader. Americans eat 21% of the world’s beef, showing their big appetite for this meat⁴.

China and Brazil: Top Beef-Consuming Countries

China and Brazil are also big on beef, after the U.S. In 2020, China and Brazil ate 7,864 kilotons and 7,848 kilotons of beef, respectively⁵. They are the second and third biggest beef eaters in the world.

But China eats less beef per person than the U.S. In 2021, China ate almost 100 million tons of meat, but less per person than in the U.S⁵.

As more people get richer and the world’s population grows, beef demand will increase. Meeting this demand sustainably is key. We need to make sure we can keep enjoying beef without harming the planet.

Conclusion

The global beef consumption landscape is changing, with the United States leading as the biggest consumer. It makes up 21% of the world’s beef intake⁶. China and Brazil are close behind, showing the high demand for beef globally. Even though some countries eat less beef, millions of people worldwide enjoy it, making it a big part of our food scene⁶.

Retail beef prices have gone up by 7.4% from September 2022 to September 2023, reaching $6.43/lb on average⁷. But, beef sales in dollars have still gone up by 4.3% in the same period, showing that people still want beef⁷. With food prices rising, especially for eating out, many are cooking more at home. About 40% of people are eating more meals at home, and most of those meals are cooked at home⁷.

Looking forward, world beef consumption is expected to drop by 2.5% each year from 2022. It’s also set to decrease by 6.6% from 2023 to 2024⁷. But, the biggest beef consumers in the world will still be the United States, China, and Brazil. The global world beef consumption per capita will keep being a big part of our food scene⁶.

FAQ

What is the global consumption of beef?

In 2020, the world ate 130 billion pounds of beef.

Which countries have the highest beef supply and consumption per capita?

Argentina leads in beef supply per person, with an average of 103 pounds yearly. The U.S. is the biggest consumer overall, with its people eating 21% of the world’s beef in 2020.

Which countries are the largest beef consumers in the world?

The U.S. is the biggest beef eater globally, making up 21% of all beef consumed. China and Brazil follow closely behind.

Source Links

1. Beef Consumption by Country 2024 – https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/beef-consumption-by-country
2. Meat and Dairy Production – https://ourworldindata.org/meat-production
3. Countries where beef production is defining – Agroninja – https://agroninja.com/countries-where-beef-production-is-defining/
4. Map shows which countries eat the most meat – https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-countries-meat-consumption-most-highest-hong-kong-usa-1940339
5. For love of meat: Five trends in China that meat executives must grasp – https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/for-love-of-meat-five-trends-in-china-that-meat-executives-must-grasp
6. Current situation and future prospects for global beef production: overview of special issue – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6039325/
7. Beef Research – Today’s Beef Consumer Fall 2023 Update – https://www.beefresearch.org/resources/market-research-planning/white-papers/todays-beef-consumer-fall-2023-update