World beef consumption to reach new record in 2021

The world consumption of beef should reach a new record in 2021, above 60.0 million tons in carcass equivalent. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revised upward in April 2021 the expectation of world beef consumption for the year. In 2021 the world consumption of beef should add up to the equivalent of 60.04 million tons, which, if confirmed, represents a gain of 1.6% in relation to the consumption observed in 2020 (59.06 million tons). Beef consumption is expected to grow by almost 1 million tonnes in carcass equivalent from 2020 to 2021. It is important to note that the increase in world beef consumption has been mainly driven by Chinese demand. Beef consumption in China is expected to total 10.08 million tons in carcass equivalent, up 6.3% compared to 2020 (9.48 million tons) and behind only the United States, the world's largest consumer, with the prospect of demand of 12.52 million tons. Between 2017 and 2021 the expected growth in Chinese beef consumption is ...