Mobile Menu

Business Environment Profiles - Australia

Meat consumption

Published: 28 May 2024

Key Metrics

Meat consumption

Total (2024)

103 Kilograms Per Capita

Annualized Growth 2019-24

-0.4 %

Definition of Meat consumption

This report analyses total meat consumed per capita in Australia. For the purposes of this report, the definition of meat includes beef, veal, lamb, mutton, pig meat and poultry meat. The data for this report is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. It is measured in kilograms per capita and presented in financial years.

Analyze the wider world in which businesses operate

We measure the upstream and downstream ramifications on thousands of industries so businesses can monitor their external operating environment. Explore membership options today.

Purchase options

Included in an IBISWorld Membership

Our industry reports include 35+ pages of data, analysis and charts, including:

  • Industry Financial Ratios
    Industry Financial Ratios
  • Historical and Forecast Growth
    Historical and Forecast Growth
  • Industry Market Size
    Industry Market Size
  • Industry Major Players
    Industry Major Players
  • Profitability Analysis
    Profitability Analysis
  • SWOT Analysis
    SWOT Analysis
  • Industry Trends
    Industry Trends
  • Industry Operating Conditions
    Industry Operating Conditions

IBISWorld Premium Data

You need a Membership for access
to this data.

  • Access to your choice of 632
    industry reports
  • Access to full library of 185
    Business Environment Profiles

Get Started with an IBISWorld Membership today!

PURCHASE OPTIONS CONTACT US NOW
IBISWorld
Premium Data

You need a Membership for
access to this data.

Get Started with an IBISWorld Membership today!
PURCHASE OPTIONS

Recent Trends – Meat consumption

IBISWorld expects meat consumption to fall by 0.8% during 2023-24 to 103.4 kilograms per capita. Rising health consciousness and the increasing uptake of veganism are expected to boost demand for plant-based alternatives, constraining overall meat consumption. However, domestic meat production is expected to rise during the year and the prices of beef, poultry, lamb and pig meat are anticipated to fall, weighing on the fall in meat consumption.

Consumer meat preferences have changed over the past two decades. Traditionally, beef accounted for most meat consumed by Australians. However, in 2001-02, per capita consumption of chicken meat exceeded beef and veal consumption for the first time. The considerably lower price and versatility of chicken meat in cooking have helped boost chicken meat consumption over the past decade, with consumption expected to reach 49.9 kilograms per capita during 2023-24. Conversely, per capita beef and veal consumption has continued to decrease over the period to a projected 21.2 kilograms per capita in 2023-24. Lamb and mutton consumption has increased over the past five years. However, they remain the least consumed traditional meats by Australians. Mutton consumption in Australia is minimal. Pork consumption has fallen over the past five years, with consumption expected to reach 25.5 kilograms per capita in the current year.

Greater production of poultry, pork and sheep meat over the past five years has supported consumption of meat in Australia. However, a fall in beef and veal production has contributed to the falling consumption of these meats, constraining overall meat consumption. Beef and veal consumption has been negatively affected by rising health consciousness, with many consumers opting for healthier meat options, such as poultry, or eating seafood or vegetarian options. In the current year, beef and veal consumption is expected to account for 20.5% of total meat consumption, falling from 21.7% five years earlier. Over the same period, pig meat has followed similar trends, while sheep meat and poultry have both increased as a share of total meat consumption. Pork is anticipated to account for 24.7% of total meat consumption, while poultry is anticipated to reach 48.3%. Meat consumption has been constrained by the rising popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets. Several new plant-based meat alternatives have also become available for consumers, encouraging more people to make the switch away from meat. Overall, meat consumption is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 0.4% over the five years through 2023-24.

Show more

5-Year Outlook – Meat consumption

IBISWorld expects meat consumption to rise by 1.9% during 2024-25 to 105.4 kilograms per capita. ...

Looking for IBISWorld Industry Reports?

Gain strategic insight and analysis on thousands of industries.

Trusted by More Than 10,000 Clients Around the World

  • IBISWorld client - VISA
  • IBISWorld client - ADP
  • IBISWorld client - Deloitte
  • IBISWorld client - AMEX
  • IBISWorld client - Bank of Montreal