Chicken to Become the Most Consumed Meat by 2027
With over 20 billion heads, chicken is the most widely raised animal species for consumption worldwide. Currently the second most popular meat after pork, it is expected to become the top choice by 2027, according to S&P Global Platts. Chicken meat consumption is projected to reach 117 million tons by 2027, and 120 million tons by 2030, surpassing pork, whose production is expected to stabilize around 115 million tons.
This shift is explained by the economic and nutritional accessibility of chicken, which offers a low cost, a better protein-to-fat ratio, and high cultural adaptability. Unlike pork, which is limited in certain regions for socioreligious reasons, chicken is consumed globally. Its production is also less resource-intensive and has a lower carbon footprint, making it appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
Demand will be particularly driven by Asia and Africa. In Asia, countries like India (+27%), Vietnam (+17%), and the Philippines (+15%) will play a key role, while in Africa, consumption is expected to increase by 21%, reaching 7.54 million tons. In contrast, growth will be more moderate in Europe (+2%) and the United States (+4%).
Brazil, already the leader in global chicken exports with over a third of the market, will benefit from this trend by increasing its sales to nearly 5 million tons by 2030.
