From staggering global grain consumption to the hidden cost of household waste, these numbers reveal the intricate and often surprising story of what we eat.
Key Takeaways
- Global wheat consumption in 2021 was 784.5 million metric tons, primarily driven by population growth and biofuel demand
- Rice consumption worldwide reached 520.7 million metric tons in 2022, with Asia accounting for 90% of total
- Maize consumption globally hit 1,216 million metric tons in 2021, used heavily in animal feed and ethanol production
- Global beef consumption reached 60 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent in 2022
- Pork consumption worldwide was 112 million metric tons in 2021, led by China at 55 million tons
- Poultry meat consumption globally hit 137 million metric tons in 2022, fastest growing protein
- Global milk consumption reached 171 billion liters in liquid equivalent 2022
- Cheese global consumption 21 million metric tons in 2021, Europe leads production
- Yogurt worldwide 12 million tons in 2022, probiotic trend boosting
- Global fresh fruit consumption 100 million tons in 2022, apples leading
- Banana global consumption 120 million tons 2021, top fruit by volume
- Tomato worldwide 190 million tons 2022, vegetable/fruit hybrid
- Global sugar consumption 177 million tons raw value 2022
- Soft drinks worldwide 200 billion liters 2021, sugary beverages
- Chocolate consumption global 8 million tons 2022
Global food consumption patterns are diverse and shaped by various regional staples and cultural traditions.
Cereals and Grains
- Global wheat consumption in 2021 was 784.5 million metric tons, primarily driven by population growth and biofuel demand
- Rice consumption worldwide reached 520.7 million metric tons in 2022, with Asia accounting for 90% of total
- Maize consumption globally hit 1,216 million metric tons in 2021, used heavily in animal feed and ethanol production
- Per capita cereal consumption in India was 182 kg in 2020, dominated by rice and wheat staples
- EU barley consumption totaled 58.2 million tons in 2022, split between feed and malting uses
- Global sorghum consumption was 62.4 million metric tons in 2021, mainly in Africa for food and fodder
- Millet consumption in sub-Saharan Africa averaged 15 kg per capita annually in 2019, key for food security
- Oats global production and consumption reached 26 million tons in 2022, popular in breakfast foods
- Rye consumption in Europe was 12.5 million tons in 2021, used in bread making in Eastern countries
- Global quinoa consumption grew to 0.15 million tons in 2022, driven by health trends in North America
- Buckwheat consumption in China was 2.1 million tons in 2020, valued for gluten-free properties
- Global spelt wheat consumption estimated at 0.5 million tons in 2021, niche organic market growth
- Teff consumption in Ethiopia reached 5.5 million tons in 2022, staple for injera bread
- Global fonio consumption around 0.3 million tons annually in 2021, West African superfood
- Amaranth grain consumption worldwide 0.4 million tons in 2020, rising in gluten-free diets
- Global wild rice consumption 0.05 million tons in 2022, premium market in US and Canada
- Triticale consumption in Eastern Europe 4 million tons in 2021, hybrid wheat-rye crop
- Global emmer wheat consumption 0.2 million tons in 2020, ancient grain revival
- Kamut (khorasan wheat) consumption reached 0.1 million tons globally in 2022
- Global rice per capita consumption averaged 52 kg in 2021, highest in Bangladesh at 170 kg
- Wheat flour consumption in the US was 140 kg per capita in 2020
- Global corn syrup consumption from maize hit 40 million tons in 2022
- Barley malt consumption for beer worldwide 10 million tons in 2021
- Sorghum syrup production and consumption 0.5 million tons in US 2020
- Global oat milk consumption surged to 1.2 million tons in 2022
- Rye bread consumption in Germany 25 kg per capita annually in 2021
- Quinoa per capita in Peru 2.5 kg in 2020
- Millet beer consumption in Africa 2 million hectoliters equivalent in grains 2022
- Global pasta consumption from durum wheat 15 million tons in 2021
- Teff export consumption outside Ethiopia 0.1 million tons in 2022
Cereals and Grains Interpretation
Our plates are a study in global inequality and industrial influence, where the sheer tonnage of subsidized wheat and maize for biofuels and feed dwarfs the subsistence-level millet in Africa and the boutique quinoa of wellness trends, yet each grain tells a story of cultural survival, economic pressure, or marketing triumph.
Dairy Products
- Global milk consumption reached 171 billion liters in liquid equivalent 2022
- Cheese global consumption 21 million metric tons in 2021, Europe leads production
- Yogurt worldwide 12 million tons in 2022, probiotic trend boosting
- Butter consumption global 5.5 million tons 2021
- US per capita milk consumption 78 liters in 2022, declining from peaks
- India buffalo milk consumption 70 million tons 2020, 50% of national supply
- EU cheese consumption 35 kg per capita 2021, France highest at 26 kg
- Global ice cream consumption 14 billion liters 2022
- Condensed milk global 8 million tons 2021, Asia baking use
- Powdered milk consumption 3.5 million tons worldwide 2022, aid and infant formula
- Greece feta cheese consumption 15 kg per capita 2020
- Global whey protein consumption 2 million tons 2021, fitness market
- New Zealand milk per capita 200 liters 2022, export oriented
- Russia sour cream consumption 5 kg per capita 2021
- Global cream consumption 4 million tons 2020, confectionery use
- Buttermilk worldwide 1.5 million tons 2022, fermented dairy rise
- EU milk powder imports for consumption 1.2 million tons 2021
- US cottage cheese consumption 1 kg per capita 2022
- Mongolia horse milk consumption 10 liters per capita 2020, kumis traditional
- Global goat milk consumption 15 million tons 2021, cheese specialty
- Camel milk Middle East 3 million tons 2022, lactose intolerant alternative
- Sheep milk Europe 10 million tons 2021, roquefort etc.
- Donkey milk Italy 0.02 million tons 2022, cosmetics and infant
- Reindeer milk Scandinavia 0.001 million tons 2020, niche
- Yak milk Himalayas 0.5 million tons 2021, butter cheese
Dairy Products Interpretation
While humanity's dairy dalliance paints a wildly diverse global palate—from Europe's cheesy supremacy and America's declining white milk to India's buffalo bounty, the Middle East's camels, and even Mongolia's spirited kumis—it seems we are, as a species, creatively and determinedly milking the planet's menagerie for all it's worth.
Fruits and Vegetables
- Global fresh fruit consumption 100 million tons in 2022, apples leading
- Banana global consumption 120 million tons 2021, top fruit by volume
- Tomato worldwide 190 million tons 2022, vegetable/fruit hybrid
- Potato global consumption 370 million tons fresh equivalent 2021
- US apple per capita 9 kg 2022
- Orange consumption worldwide 75 million tons 2020, juice processing
- Onion global 110 million tons 2022, staple vegetable
- Cabbage consumption Europe 25 million tons 2021
- Mango global 55 million tons 2022, India largest consumer
- Lettuce worldwide 28 million tons 2021, salads
- China vegetable per capita 300 kg 2020, highest globally
- Avocado consumption global 8.5 million tons 2022, millennials drive
- Cucumber global 90 million tons 2021, pickling
- Strawberry worldwide 9 million tons 2022
- Spinach consumption US 3 kg per capita 2020
- Pineapple global 28 million tons 2021, canned juice
- Carrot worldwide 40 million tons 2022
- Broccoli global 10 million tons 2021, health trends
- Grape consumption 78 million tons 2020, wine table raisins
- Pepper (bell) global 38 million tons 2022
- Watermelon worldwide 102 million tons 2021
- Eggplant global 55 million tons 2022, Asia dominant
- Lemon lime consumption 20 million tons 2020
- Cauliflower worldwide 10 million tons 2021
- Blueberry global 1.5 million tons 2022, superfood
- Asparagus consumption Europe 1 million tons 2021
- Kiwi fruit global 2.5 million tons 2022, New Zealand origin
Fruits and Vegetables Interpretation
While the humble potato quietly dominates the global plate with 370 million tons, our species' true culinary portrait is a vibrant, contradictory salad where the avocado's millennial-fueled rise coexists with China's 300 kg per capita vegetable mountain, proving we are what we eat—and we are eating everything.
Meat and Fish
- Global beef consumption reached 60 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent in 2022
- Pork consumption worldwide was 112 million metric tons in 2021, led by China at 55 million tons
- Poultry meat consumption globally hit 137 million metric tons in 2022, fastest growing protein
- Sheep meat (lamb and mutton) global consumption 15.2 million tons in 2021
- Goat meat consumption worldwide 6.5 million tons in 2020, prominent in Asia and Africa
- US per capita beef consumption 26.5 kg in 2022
- China pork per capita consumption 35 kg in 2021 post-ASF recovery
- Global fish consumption 20.5 kg per capita in 2020, providing 17% animal protein
- Salmon consumption worldwide 3.2 million tons in 2022, mostly farmed Atlantic
- Tuna global consumption 5 million tons in 2021, canned products dominant
- Shrimp consumption reached 5.5 million tons globally in 2022, US largest importer
- EU poultry consumption 27 kg per capita in 2021
- India goat meat consumption 0.7 kg per capita annually 2020, festival driven
- Brazil beef consumption 35 kg per capita in 2022, highest in South America
- Global horse meat consumption 0.4 million tons in 2021, mainly Asia and Europe
- Rabbit meat worldwide 1.5 million tons in 2020, popular in China
- Duck meat consumption global 4.5 million tons in 2022, France specialty
- Turkey meat US consumption 7 kg per capita holiday driven 2021
- Global game meat consumption (venison etc.) 0.8 million tons in 2020
- Cod fish consumption in Europe 2.5 million tons in 2021, Lenten tradition
- Herring consumption Scandinavia 1 kg per capita annually 2022
- Octopus global consumption 0.5 million tons in 2021, Asia markets
- Lobster consumption worldwide 0.3 million tons 2022, luxury seafood
- US chicken per capita 50 kg in 2022
- Japan fish per capita 50 kg highest globally 2020
- Global buffalo meat consumption 4 million tons 2021, India dominant
- Camel meat consumption Middle East 0.2 million tons 2020
Meat and Fish Interpretation
The world's dinner plate paints a picture of a barnyard hierarchy, where poultry reigns supreme by volume, pork holds the regional crown in China, and beef maintains its stubborn status as the choice cut, while a vast and varied menagerie from salmon to shrimp fills the seas and niches in between.
Sugar and Processed Foods
- Global sugar consumption 177 million tons raw value 2022
- Soft drinks worldwide 200 billion liters 2021, sugary beverages
- Chocolate consumption global 8 million tons 2022
- Vegetable oil global 200 million tons 2021, palm soy leading
- US per capita sugar 50 kg 2022, declining
- Candy confectionery worldwide 45 million tons 2021
- Baked goods global flour use 400 million tons 2022, processed
- Palm oil consumption 80 million tons 2021, food processing
- Soybean oil global 60 million tons 2022, frying cooking
- Snacks savory global 25 million tons 2021, chips crisps
- Energy drinks consumption 40 billion liters 2022
- Jams preserves worldwide 3 million tons 2020
- Honey global 1.9 million tons 2021, natural sweetener
- Corn sweeteners HFCS US 10 million tons 2022
- Margarine global 10 million tons 2021, spreads
- Frozen processed foods worldwide 150 million tons 2022
- Ready meals global 50 million tons 2021, convenience
- Canned fruits vegetables 30 million tons 2020
- Pasta sauces global 5 million tons 2022
- Breakfast cereals worldwide 15 million tons 2021, sugary varieties
Sugar and Processed Foods Interpretation
The global pantry is an altar to processed indulgence, where mountains of sugar and oceans of oil are transformed into countless tons of convenient, shelf-stable delight, proving that while we may be eating less straight sugar, we've simply become architects of more elaborate, and arguably delicious, edible chemical engineering.
Waste and Sustainability
- Global food waste at consumer level 131 kg per capita annually in 2022 for high-income countries
- Household food waste globally 74 kg per person per year in 2019
- US food waste 325 pounds per person yearly 2021, 40% of supply
- EU food waste 85 kg per capita 2020, retail and consumer
- India food loss post-harvest 40% for fruits vegetables 2022
- Global agricultural production waste 1.3 billion tons annually 2019
- China restaurant food waste 20 kg per capita 2021
- Brazil household waste 25% of food purchased 2020
- UK supermarket food waste 200,000 tons yearly 2022
- Global fisheries discard waste 8 million tons annually 2020
- Meat processing waste 20% globally 2021
- Dairy waste at farm level 5% milk production 2022
- Bread waste Europe 10 million tons yearly 2020
- Fruit vegetable waste supply chain 45% developing countries 2019
- US retail food waste 10% of supply 2021
- Global edible food waste caloric equivalent 25% supply 2022
- Japan consumer food waste 7 million tons 2020
- Africa root crop loss 40% post-harvest 2021
- Canada household waste 2.3 million tons 2022
- Global methane from food waste 8% total emissions 2019
Waste and Sustainability Interpretation
The staggering global tapestry of food waste paints a portrait of profound inefficiency, where the high-income consumer's 131-kilogram annual guilt trip, the retail sector's colossal tonnage, and the post-harvest losses crippling developing nations collectively squander enough calories and resources to mock the very concept of a hungry planet.
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