Global Pork Consumption Tops 125 Million Tonnes; Here Are the 10 Supplying Countries

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – In 2025, global pork consumption is forecast to reach around 125 million tonnes. The increase is modest, at just 0.2%. The figure illustrates that global demand has not truly weakened. China remains the largest market, Europe remains hungry for consumption, while Vietnam to Mexico show new growth. This condition means the global pig industry moves in two currents at once. Developed countries are starting to curb consumption due to health and environmental concerns. Developing countries continue to raise demand as purchasing power rises and protein needs grow. The Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI) reports that global pork consumption this year is expected to reach around 125 million tonnes. The rise is only 0.2% higher than the previous year. Global per capita consumption also edged up to 15.4 kilograms per person per year from 15.3 kilograms. This condition is notable as the world diet pattern is changing. In many developed countries, people are reducing red meat consumption due to health, environmental, and animal welfare concerns. Yet at the same time, developing countries remain engines of cheap, calorie-dense protein demand. China remains the centre of gravity for the global pork market. About half of global production comes from the country. Its consumption is projected at 58.2 million tonnes in 2025, though down slightly by 0.1%. That figure still leaves China far ahead of other countries. The small decline in China has a big implication for the global market. Even slight changes in consumption in a country with a population of more than 1.4 billion directly affect feed prices, trade in corn and soybeans, and pork export flows from large producers. Europe experiences similar pressure. Pork consumption in the European Union is forecast to fall by 0.7% to around 18.2 million tonnes. Consumer preference shifts are becoming clear in the region. Organic products, livestock emissions issues, and campaigns to reduce meat consumption have gained momentum in recent years. By contrast, the United States still records consumption growth. Demand is expected to rise by 1.7% to 10.1 million tonnes. Russia, Vietnam, and Mexico also record increases. Vietnam is forecast to grow 2.8%, the highest among major markets. The Southeast Asia rise is particularly significant to read. Rising household incomes are typically followed by higher consumption of animal protein. Pork is often chosen because prices are relatively cheaper than beef in many Asian countries. The FAO reports that the structure of global production remains highly concentrated. China accounts for around 50% of global production. The European Union ranks second with an 18% share. The United States follows in third place with around 10%. China’s dominance in the pork industry actually stems from cultural and economic factors. Pork has long been a staple protein for Chinese households. As the economy grows and the middle class expands, consumption also surges. The Chinese government has even had to intervene several times to stabilise pork prices because of their significant impact on food inflation. Meanwhile, Southern Europe remains the region with the highest per-capita consumption in the world. Croatia, Spain, Montenegro, and Poland sit at the top. Culinary traditions are a major factor. In Spain, pork is linked to the Iberico ham industry and various processed products. In Poland, pork-based dishes form part of daily consumption. In the Balkans, local pig farming has become a centuries-old tradition. There is an interesting geographic pattern in the list. Eastern Europe and the Balkans dominate the top of per-capita consumption. This region has a long history of household pig farming and meat-curing culture for winter. Hong Kong is a notable exception in Asia. Pork consumption reaches more than 52 kilograms per person per year. City density, Cantonese culinary tradition, and high consumption of pork-based processed foods push the figure well above the Asian average. South Korea also ranks among the world’s large consumers with per-capita consumption of 41.34 kilograms. Samgyeopsal, Korean BBQ, and various pork-based dishes keep demand high in the country. Indonesia is on the other side of the global consumption map. Per-capita consumption was only about 0.94 kilograms per year in 2022, with total consumption around 259 thousand tonnes. Demographic factors and religious dietary preferences make the domestic pork market relatively small compared to other Asian countries. Nevertheless, the global pig industry still wields significant influence on the world food chain. Corn and soybean meal for animal feed are also driven higher when pork production rises. Energy prices, logistics costs, and livestock diseases such as African Swine Fever can quickly impact the market. Therefore, the global demand increase of 0.2% may seem small on paper, but is sufficient to keep the global pork industry moving. CNBC Indonesia Research (emb/emb)