The Global Pork Industry: An Analysis
According to a report by Research and Markets, the global pork market was valued at $254.53 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $418.37 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.6% over the forecasted period.
Region-wise, Asia is the leading pork consumer. The Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Japan are major markets for pork consumption in this region. Pig meat has been preferred in the East Asian region for a long time due to its taste and fat content. Pork consumption is also high in North America and Europe. Major pork exporters include the United States, Canada, Brazil, and European countries. Japan, mainland China, Mexico, Italy, and South Korea were the major import markets for pork.
Factors driving growth in the global pork industry include growing disposable incomes, a significant middle-class population, and the relative cheapness of pork as compared to other meats. The ease of accessing the retail market for packaged pork meat has also driven the market demand. The need for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook pork meat products due to the surge in the working population is another trend in the market. Similarly, household pork consumption is high since pork is deemed a rich source of protein and vitamins. Simultaneously, prominent issues facing the global pork industry include a rising inclination towards veganism and the laws against animal cruelty.
Dominant Players in the Market
Companies fulfilling the demand for pork around the world include Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), JBS S.A. (OTC:JBSAY), and Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL).
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) is one of the largest global food companies and a recognized leader in protein. The company has a wide variety of products with consistent muscle size, tight trim specifications and reliable yields to meet customer needs worldwide. On November 29, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) reported the official opening of a new $300 million fully-cooked food production facility in Danville, Virginia. This plant will be producing almost four million pounds of premium quality, fully-cooked poultry products weekly. It has also created approximately 400 new jobs for the southeastern Virginia region. The Danville facility is one of the most automated company plants to date. Hence, this development reflects the company’s commitment to driving long-term growth and operational efficiency in its business.
JBS USA Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of JBS S.A. (OTC:JBSAY), is another significant pork producer. The company has been providing protein and food solutions to customers in 100 countries across six continents. Hogs are sourced from local family farms in the USA, UK, and Australia. It offers premium pork products that provide a superior eating experience. On December 1, the company announced a $9 million investment over the next three years to enhance transparency in the livestock supply chain in Pará and the broader Amazon region. This partnership with the state government aims to achieve 100% of the state’s cattle tagged for individual traceability from birth to slaughter by 2026. Under this initiative, JBS S.A. (OTC:JBSAY) will be helping smallholders offset the cost of animal identification tags and providing technical help for producers to make a living in the Amazon region without cutting trees.
Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) is an American food processing company. The company has been producing first-rate pork products for over 100 years. Featured brands from the firm include Hormel Natural Choice which comes in a wide variety of fresh pork cuts with no artificial ingredients or added preservatives and Hormel Fire Braised meats that offer juicy pork. Leveraging a strong presence in the US, the firm will be contributing to the upcoming holiday season through a new offering. On December 5, Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) reported that HORMEL® Pepperoni, the top-selling American brand of pepperoni, has launched an all-new, limited-edition ‘Ultimate Pepperoni Bloody Mary Cocktail Kit’ for the holiday season in America.
Now that we have taken a look at the global pork industry, let’s move to the top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption. You can also view countries with the highest chicken consumption and countries with the highest beef production.
Top 20 Countries with the Highest Pork Consumption
Our Methodology:
In order to compile a list of the top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption, we have sourced data from the official Supply Utilization database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or FAO. We selected the element ‘food supply quantity’ since it is the total amount of the commodity available as human food during the year. It includes the commodity in question, as well as any commodity derived therefrom as a result of further processing. Pork was selected as the commodity.
We further screened the database to find the top 20 countries with the highest per capita pork consumption. The latest data available was from 2021. Finally, we ranked the countries in ascending order of their pork consumption, in kilograms per capita, as of 2021.
Top 20 Countries with the Highest Pork Consumption
20. Cyprus
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 37.66 Kilograms
In 2021, Cyprus consumed 37.66 kilograms of pork per capita. Pork is considered a major source of protein in the national diet. Afelia is a flavourful marinated pork dish that is a traditional cuisine in Cyprus. Hence, Cyprus ranks as one of the top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption.
19. Taiwan
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 37.7 Kilograms
Taiwan is another country with a high pork consumption. The per capita pork consumption in the country was as high as 37.7 kilograms as reported by FAO in 2021. Pork is cooked and served in numerous ways by the Taiwanese.
18. Republic of Korea
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 38.32 Kilograms
The Republic of Korea is one of the countries with the highest domestic demand for pork. The country even relies on imports to fulfill this demand. In 2021, the per capita pork consumption in the Republic of Korea was recorded at 38.32 kilograms thereby ranking the nation among other countries with high pork consumption.
17. Belarus
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 38.5 Kilograms
According to FAO, Belarus consumed 38.5 kilograms of pork per capita in 2021. The national pork industry houses many pig-breeding complexes. With a planned increase in these complexes, pork production has also been expected to rise. Belarus is one of the top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption.
16. Portugal
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 39.23 Kilograms
The per capita pork consumption in Portugal was 39.23 kilograms as recorded in 2021. Portuguese cuisine comprises a variety of pork dishes. Known pork dishes include bifana, papas de sarrabulho, and rojões. Thus, Portugal ranks among other countries where pork consumption is high.
15. Estonia
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 40.31 Kilograms
Estonia also makes it to the countries with the highest pork consumption. Pig growing has been a common tradition in many Estonian farms. Estonia consumed 40.31 kilograms of pork per capita as recorded by FAO in 2021.
14. Slovakia
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 42.72 Kilograms
Slovakia is one of the top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption. Pork plays a key role in the national diet due to its nutritional composition. In 2021, the per capita pork consumption in Slovakia was 42.72 kilograms.
13. Latvia
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 42.96 Kilograms
The top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption include Latvia as well. In 2021, the country recorded pork consumption of 42.96 kilograms per capita. Pork is incorporated in diversified ways in many traditional Latvian foods.
12. Germany
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 43.26 Kilograms
In 2021, the per capita consumption of pork in Germany was as high as 43.26 kilograms. Spanferkel, schweinebraten, and schweinshaxe are some of the popular pork dishes in the country. Hence, Germany is one of the countries with the highest pork consumption.
11. Austria
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 43.55 Kilograms
Pork is an integral part of agriculture in Austria. In 2021, the country consumed 43.55 kilograms of pork per capita. The high pork consumption makes Austria one of the top 20 countries that eat pork the most.
10. Czechia
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 46.95 Kilograms
Pork is a commonly consumed meat among other meat types in Czechia. The per capita pork consumption in the country was 46.95 kilograms in 2021. Thus, Czechia is another country with a significant consumption of pork.
9. Serbia
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 47.58 Kilograms
Pig farming is an important part of the Serbian livestock sector. Pork is widely eaten in the country. In 2021, the Serbians consumed 47.58 kilograms of pork per capita. Hence, the country ranks among other countries with the highest pork consumption in the world.
8. Hungary
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 49.99 Kilograms
Pork is deemed essential in the Hungarian lifestyle. Mangalitsa pork is a national dish in Hungary which is known worldwide for its taste and texture. The per capita pork consumption in Hungary was recorded at 49.99 kilograms in 2021. Hence, Hungary is another country with a high pork consumption.
7. Hong Kong
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 52.16 Kilograms
Char siu, the sweet and sour pork, is a classic Cantonese dish that is available across the country. In 2021, Hong Kong recorded per capita pork consumption of 52.16 kilograms thereby ranking as one of the 20 countries where pork is highly consumed.
6. Lithuania
Per Capita Pork Consumption: 52.22 Kilograms
Lithuania is one of the top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption. Pork is significantly included in Lithuanian cuisine and is consumed in many different ways. In 2021, the pork consumption per capita in Lithuania was 52.22 kilograms.
