Behind every hamburger, glass of milk, and chicken dinner lies a staggering global economic engine that produced over 280 million metric tons of beef, pork, and poultry last year alone, a massive industry facing both unprecedented demand and immense scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, U.S. cattle inventory totaled 91.9 million head, including 28.8 million beef cows and 9.4 million dairy cows
- Global beef production reached 60.4 million metric tons in 2022, with Brazil leading at 10.2 million tons
- U.S. beef exports in 2023 amounted to 1.4 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent, valued at $11.1 billion
- In 2023, U.S. hog inventory stood at 75.5 million head, with 6.3 million market hogs under 60 lbs
- Global pork production hit 114.8 million metric tons in 2023, led by China at 55 million tons
- U.S. pork exports reached 1.3 million metric tons in 2023, valued at $7.8 billion
- U.S. broiler production reached 44.7 billion pounds in 2023, up 1.5%
- Global poultry meat production was 137 million tons in 2023, USA at 23 million tons
- U.S. chicken exports totaled 3.8 million tons in 2023, valued at $5.2 billion
- U.S. milk production totaled 226.3 billion pounds in 2023, up 0.2%
- Global milk output 894 million tons in 2023, India 22%, EU 20%
- U.S. dairy herd averaged 9.35 million cows in 2023, producing 24,318 lbs/cow
- Global aquaculture production reached 130.9 million tonnes in 2022, 51% of total fisheries
- China farmed 69.6 million tonnes of aquatic animals in 2022, 60% of global
- Norway salmon production hit 1.6 million tonnes in 2023, export value €16 billion
The global animal industry remains vast, with cattle dominating beef production despite environmental impacts.
Aquaculture Industry
- Global aquaculture production reached 130.9 million tonnes in 2022, 51% of total fisheries
- China farmed 69.6 million tonnes of aquatic animals in 2022, 60% of global
- Norway salmon production hit 1.6 million tonnes in 2023, export value €16 billion
- Global shrimp aquaculture output 5.8 million tonnes in 2022, Ecuador/India leading
- Vietnam pangasius production 1.6 million tonnes in 2023, exports $1.8 billion
- U.S. catfish production 140 million pounds in 2023, down 20% from peak
- Chile salmon harvest 600,000 tonnes in 2023, recovering from SRS disease
- Global tilapia farmed 6.1 million tonnes in 2022, China/Brazil/Egypt top
- Indonesia seaweed aquaculture 10 million tonnes wet weight in 2023
- Scotland Atlantic salmon 170,000 tonnes in 2023
- Bangladesh shrimp/prawns 250,000 tonnes in 2023, exports $1 billion
- U.S. salmon aquaculture 20,000 tonnes in 2023, mainly Pacific NW
- Global carp production 25 million tonnes in 2022, China dominant
- Thailand shrimp farms produced 300,000 tonnes in 2023
- Canada aquaculture value $2 billion CAD in 2022, salmon 70%
- India freshwater fish 8 million tonnes in 2023, carp 80%
- Peru trout production 50,000 tonnes in 2023, exports to USA/EU
- Global oyster production 6 million tonnes in 2022, China 80%
- Denmark recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) trout 30,000 tonnes/year
- Philippines milkfish 600,000 tonnes in 2023
- Global seaweed market 12 million tonnes farmed, $15 billion value
Aquaculture Industry Interpretation
While China has us all swimming in its vast aquaculture pond, producing over half the world's farmed fish, the global industry reveals a deliciously diverse and fiercely competitive menu, from Norway's golden salmon eggs and Ecuador's shrimp dominance to the quiet seaweed empires of Asia and the high-tech trout tanks of Denmark.
Cattle and Beef Industry
- In 2022, U.S. cattle inventory totaled 91.9 million head, including 28.8 million beef cows and 9.4 million dairy cows
- Global beef production reached 60.4 million metric tons in 2022, with Brazil leading at 10.2 million tons
- U.S. beef exports in 2023 amounted to 1.4 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent, valued at $11.1 billion
- In 2021, the average U.S. fed steer price was $144.30 per hundredweight, up 24% from 2020
- China imported 2.1 million tons of beef in 2022, accounting for 36% of global beef trade
- U.S. per capita beef consumption was 58.2 pounds in 2022, down from 59.1 pounds in 2021
- Brazil's cattle herd numbered 234.1 million head in 2022, the world's largest
- EU beef production in 2022 was 7.4 million tons, with Ireland exporting 635,000 tons
- U.S. calf crop in 2023 was 34.1 million head, a 1% increase from 2022
- Global cattle slaughter reached 300 million head in 2022, led by India at 44 million despite low beef export
- U.S. beef processing capacity utilization averaged 92% in 2023
- Australia's beef exports hit 1.2 million tons in 2022-23, 70% to Asia
- Methane emissions from global cattle enteric fermentation totaled 2.1 gigatons CO2 equivalent in 2020
- U.S. feeder cattle imports from Mexico were 1.25 million head in 2023
- India’s buffalo meat exports reached 1.45 million tons in 2022-23, valued at $3.2 billion
- U.S. cow slaughter totaled 3.2 million head in 2023, up 11% from 2022 due to herd liquidation
- Argentina produced 3.1 million tons of beef in 2022, exporting 850,000 tons
- U.S. beef grading: 18% Prime, 52% Choice, 27% Select in 2022
- Global beef trade volume was 11.6 million tons in 2022, up 5% year-over-year
- U.S. heifer retention rate dropped to 16.9% in 2023, lowest since 2015
- New Zealand lamb exports (included in broader meat but cattle-related supply chain) wait no, focus: NZ beef exports 600,000 tons in 2022
- U.S. cattle on feed averaged 13.8 million head in 2023
- World beef consumption per capita averaged 6.4 kg in 2022, highest in US at 26 kg
- Canada produced 1.5 million tons of beef in 2022, exporting 80% of production
- U.S. beef cow inventory fell to 28.2 million head by Jan 2024, down 2%
- EU cattle population was 76.4 million head in 2022, down 3% from prior year
- U.S. live cattle futures price averaged $172/cwt in Q4 2023
- Global cattle genetic improvement programs boosted productivity by 1-2% annually since 2010
- U.S. beef value added processing contributed $300 billion to GDP in 2022
- Mexico's beef exports grew 15% to 250,000 tons in 2023
Cattle and Beef Industry Interpretation
While America’s appetite for beef remains formidable, the global herd marches to a distinctly Brazilian beat, as China’s colossal imports and rising prices reveal a planet both voraciously consuming and anxiously liquidating its cattle, all under the ever-present shadow of those 2.1 gigatons of bovine belches.
Dairy Industry
- U.S. milk production totaled 226.3 billion pounds in 2023, up 0.2%
- Global milk output 894 million tons in 2023, India 22%, EU 20%
- U.S. dairy herd averaged 9.35 million cows in 2023, producing 24,318 lbs/cow
- New Zealand milk production 21 billion liters in 2022-23, 95% exported as powder
- EU milk quota abolished 2015, production up 10% to 170 million tons by 2022
- U.S. cheese production 15.2 billion pounds in 2023, Cheddar 40%
- India buffalo milk 75 million tons in 2023, 50% of total milk
- U.S. per capita dairy consumption 47 gallons fluid milk equiv. in 2022
- Brazil dairy imports 2 billion liters equiv. in 2023
- Global dairy trade 80 million tons milk equiv. in 2023, powder 40%
- U.S. butter production 2.15 billion pounds in 2023, up 5%
- Australia dairy exports $3.5 billion in 2022-23, SMP to China
- Milk yield per cow global avg 2,500 kg/year, USA 10,200 kg
- U.S. dry milk production 3.8 million tons in 2023
- Pakistan milk production 30 million tons in 2023, mostly informal
- EU cheese exports 1.2 million tons in 2022, Italy leading
- U.S. dairy exports 18% of production in 2023, $8 billion value
- Argentina milk production down to 11 million tons in 2023 due to drought
- Global whey protein market 2.5 million tons in 2023
- Canada dairy managed under supply mgmt, 9.5 billion liters quota 2023
- U.S. Holstein cows 90% of dairy herd, avg lactation 22,000 lbs milk
- Netherlands milk production 14 billion kg in 2023, exports 80%
- China dairy imports 3.5 million tons milk equiv. in 2023
- Ireland dairy exports €10 billion in 2023, grass-based systems
- U.S. A2 milk market grew 30% to $500 million in 2023
- Russia cheese production 700,000 tons in 2023, import substitution
Dairy Industry Interpretation
The global dairy industry is a sprawling, udderly complex ecosystem where a single American cow produces enough milk to fill four bathtubs, India's water buffalo reign supreme, and every nation from cheese-loving Italy to powder-exporting New Zealand is engaged in a perpetual, high-stakes ballet of production, trade, and consumption that could leave even the most seasoned economist feeling a bit cowed.
Poultry Industry
- U.S. broiler production reached 44.7 billion pounds in 2023, up 1.5%
- Global poultry meat production was 137 million tons in 2023, USA at 23 million tons
- U.S. chicken exports totaled 3.8 million tons in 2023, valued at $5.2 billion
- Brazil broilers exported 4.8 million tons in 2023, 30% of world trade
- U.S. per capita poultry consumption 100.2 pounds in 2022, 92 lbs chicken
- EU poultry flock 1.5 billion broilers slaughtered annually, production 14 million tons
- Turkey production global 5.5 million tons in 2022, USA leading at 1.8 million
- U.S. table egg production 9.3 billion dozen in 2023
- China poultry meat output 25 million tons in 2023, largest producer
- U.S. broiler hatchability averaged 82.5% in 2023
- Global egg production 88 million tons in 2023, China 40%
- Mexico chicken exports grew to 500,000 tons in 2023
- U.S. duck production 30 million birds in 2022, mainly Long Island
- India poultry sector valued $20 billion in 2023, 4 billion birds/year
- U.S. layer flock 320 million hens in 2023, producing 110 billion eggs
- Russia turkey production 500,000 tons in 2022, imports banned post-sanctions
- Global poultry trade 14 million tons in 2023, Brazil/USA 70% share
- U.S. cage-free egg layers 130 million hens in 2024, 42% of flock
- Thailand chicken exports 1.3 million tons in 2023, Halal certified
- U.S. poultry processing labor 500,000 workers in 2023, turnover 60%
- Poland poultry production 2.5 million tons in 2023, EU's largest exporter
- Global avian flu outbreaks culls 50 million birds in 2022-23
- U.S. organic poultry market $2.5 billion in 2022, growing 8%/year
- Indonesia egg production 4 billion dozen in 2023, self-sufficient
- France duck foie gras 12,000 tons in 2022
- U.S. broiler liveweight averaged 6.3 lbs in 2023, up 2%
- Japan imports 90% poultry meat, 2 million tons/year
Poultry Industry Interpretation
The sheer scale of modern poultry production reveals a planet that is profoundly, and profitably, clucking its way to a high-protein future, with every statistic representing millions of lives—avian, human, and economic—inextricably linked in a vast, fragile, and often feather-filled supply chain.
Swine and Pork Industry
- In 2023, U.S. hog inventory stood at 75.5 million head, with 6.3 million market hogs under 60 lbs
- Global pork production hit 114.8 million metric tons in 2023, led by China at 55 million tons
- U.S. pork exports reached 1.3 million metric tons in 2023, valued at $7.8 billion
- EU swine population was 128 million head in 2022, producing 22.5 million tons pork
- China’s pig farming capacity expanded to 450 million head annual slaughter in 2023 post-ASF recovery
- U.S. per capita pork consumption was 51.1 pounds in 2022
- Brazil produced 4.3 million tons of pork in 2022, exporting 1.1 million tons mainly to China
- U.S. sow productivity reached 31.1 pigs saved per litter in 2023, up from 30.7
- Global pork trade volume was 9.5 million tons in 2022, with China importing 4.8 million tons
- Denmark exported 1.3 million tons of pork in 2022-23, 90% of production
- U.S. hog prices averaged $85/cwt for barrows/gilts in 2023
- ASF outbreaks reduced China's pig herd by 40% in 2018-2019, but recovered to 440 million by 2023
- U.S. pork processing plants numbered 120 large-scale in 2023, capacity 2.5 million hogs/day
- Russia produced 3.1 million tons pork in 2023, up 5%, self-sufficient
- Spanish pork exports hit 2.3 million tons in 2022, Iberico breed premium
- U.S. farrowings totaled 5.8 million head in Q4 2023, up 2.1%
- Global swine manure emissions contributed 0.8 Gt CO2 eq in 2020
- Canada’s hog exports were 1.1 million tons in 2023, mainly live to Asia
- Netherlands swine herd 11.5 million head in 2022, exports €7 billion pork
- U.S. weaned pigs per sow/year averaged 29.5 in 2023 top herds
- Vietnam pork production 3.5 million tons in 2022, imports rising post-ASF
- German pork production 5.5 million tons in 2022, down due to energy costs
- U.S. hog imports minimal at 50,000 head in 2023
- Philippines imported 500,000 tons pork in 2023 due to shortages
- Belgium pork exports 900,000 tons in 2022
Swine and Pork Industry Interpretation
Though the global pork industry's scale and efficiency are breathtaking—with China consuming half the world's production, the EU and U.S. feeding massive export markets, and farms achieving near-optimal litter sizes—the environmental and epidemiological hoofprint of 1.5 billion hogs reminds us that every silver lining has a squeal.
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