Poultry will account for less than half of the global meat market by 2031

The OECD and FAO have released a report predicting a 16% growth in poultry meat production by 2031, making it the leading source of meat protein, accounting for 47% of the global total. This shift is driven by consumer preferences in high-income countries and the meat's accessibility and nutritional benefits in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the pandemic's impact, a return to previous meat consumption trends is anticipated in the short term for high-income countries. In contrast, lower-income regions will see continued growth due to population and income factors. Global meat production is expected to rise to 377 million tons by 2031, primarily due to poultry, with China leading the increase. However, EU production may decline due to increased costs and reduced export opportunities. Meat sector emissions are projected to increase by 9% by 2031, largely due to poultry production, but at a slower rate than meat production growth, thanks to improved productivity and lower emissions per unit of meat produced.