Imagine a feast so immense it weighs billions of tonnes, yet so uneven that plates overflow in some homes while waste bins and shortfalls shadow others—our world's food story is a staggering tale of production and paradox, vividly painted by the latest statistics on everything from cereals and meat to sugar and waste.
Key Takeaways
- Global cereal production reached 2.78 billion tonnes in 2022, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous year
- World milk production totaled 881 million tonnes in 2022, with Asia accounting for 47% of the total
- Global meat production hit 359 million tonnes in 2022, driven by poultry growth at 5.5%
- Average global daily caloric supply per capita was 2,960 kcal in 2019, up from 2,360 in 1961
- World per capita vegetable oil consumption reached 20.5 kg/year in 2022
- Global average meat consumption per capita was 43.2 kg/year in 2021, varying widely by region
- Global food waste at consumer level is 131 kg per capita per year in Europe and Oceania
- Worldwide, 14% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, totaling 1.3 billion tonnes annually
- In sub-Saharan Africa, 33% of food losses occur at post-harvest stage
- Global vegetarian population is 79% due to cultural/religious reasons, but meat consumption rising
- Plant-based meat alternatives market grew 27% in 2022 to $8 billion globally
- Ultra-processed food consumption averages 58% of calories in US, 10-20% in Asia
- Africa contributes 17% of global food production but 25% population
- Asia consumes 60% of world rice, producing 90%
- North America per capita food availability 3,800 kcal/day vs global 2,900
Global cereal, meat, and dairy production grew in 2022, while significant food waste persists worldwide.
Dietary Trends
- Global vegetarian population is 79% due to cultural/religious reasons, but meat consumption rising
- Plant-based meat alternatives market grew 27% in 2022 to $8 billion globally
- Ultra-processed food consumption averages 58% of calories in US, 10-20% in Asia
- Global sugar-sweetened beverage intake averages 44g/day, highest in Latin America
- Obesity rates linked to diet reached 13% globally in 2022, up from 4% in 1975
- Mediterranean diet adherence low globally, only 12% in high-income countries
- Fast food consumption frequency 2-3 times/week in 40% of urban populations
- Organic food sales grew 8.4% globally in 2022 to $134 billion
- Low-carb diet popularity: 12% of adults followed in 2023 surveys
- Intermittent fasting adopted by 10% worldwide in 2022
- Vegan population grew to 1% globally (79 million), highest in India 9%
- Keto diet followers 5% in US, influencing global trends
- Home cooking increased 20% post-COVID, reducing processed intake
- Functional foods market $275 billion in 2023, driven by gut health trends
- Snacking now 30% of daily calories globally, up 5% since 2010
- Flexitarian diets adopted by 30% in Europe
- Energy drink consumption doubled to 12% daily among youth 2010-2022
- Paleo diet 3% adherence globally
- Meal kit delivery services grew 15% yearly, 10 million users global
- Gut microbiome foods (yogurt, kimchi) consumption up 25% since 2018
- Low/no alcohol trends: 41% consumers reducing intake 2023
- Plant milk sales overtook cow milk in some markets, 15% global share 2023
- Personalized nutrition apps used by 20% millennials
- Global seafood consumption shifted to farmed 51% in 2022
- High-protein diets 25% adoption in fitness communities
Dietary Trends Interpretation
We’re living in a bizarre tug-of-war where our plates are simultaneously filled with more kale and kimchi yet also with ultra-processed snacks and sugar, proving humanity can pursue wellness and convenience with reckless, contradictory abandon.
Per Capita Consumption
- Average global daily caloric supply per capita was 2,960 kcal in 2019, up from 2,360 in 1961
- World per capita vegetable oil consumption reached 20.5 kg/year in 2022
- Global average meat consumption per capita was 43.2 kg/year in 2021, varying widely by region
- Per capita milk consumption worldwide averaged 120 kg/year in 2022, highest in Europe at 250 kg
- Global per capita rice consumption stood at 52 kg/year in 2020, Asia at 80 kg
- Average world per capita sugar intake was 24 kg/year in 2022
- Per capita fruit consumption globally was 41 kg/year in 2019, low in Africa at 20 kg
- World average fish consumption per capita reached 20.5 kg/year in 2020, up 18% since 2000
- Global per capita cereal consumption was 150 kg/year in 2022, wheat dominant in Europe
- Per capita egg consumption worldwide averaged 180 eggs/year in 2022, China at 300+
- Average global vegetable consumption per capita was 103 kg/year in 2019
- World per capita pulse consumption stood at 8 kg/year in 2022, India highest at 14 kg
- Per capita potato consumption globally was 31 kg/year in 2020, highest in Eastern Europe
- Global average starchy roots consumption per capita reached 40 kg/year in 2022
- Per capita beef consumption worldwide was 6.4 kg/year in 2021, US at 36 kg
- World per capita poultry consumption averaged 15 kg/year in 2022, Brazil leading
- Per capita pork consumption globally stood at 12 kg/year in 2021, highest in China
- Global per capita dairy (excluding butter) consumption was 82 kg/year in 2022
- Average world per capita cassava consumption was 17 kg/year in 2020, Africa dominant
- Per capita maize consumption for food globally was 12 kg/year in 2022, high in Africa
- World average soybean oil consumption per capita reached 8 kg/year in 2022
- Per capita banana consumption worldwide was 12 kg/year in 2019, Latin America higher
- Global per capita tomato consumption averaged 24 kg/year in 2020
- Per capita apple consumption globally stood at 8 kg/year in 2019, China low despite production
- World average orange consumption per capita was 8 kg/year in 2020
- Per capita grape consumption worldwide reached 7 kg/year in 2019, Europe highest
- Global per capita yam consumption was 5 kg/year in 2020, Nigeria at 20+ kg
- Average world per capita groundnut consumption stood at 6 kg/year in 2022
- Per capita sunflower seed oil consumption globally was 4 kg/year in 2022
- Global per capita palm oil consumption reached 11 kg/year in 2022, Asia high
- World average millet consumption per capita was 3 kg/year in 2020
Per Capita Consumption Interpretation
We've collectively gone from a world where dinner was a simple question to one where it's a complex dietary spreadsheet, proving that while humanity now eats more and more diversely, the real global challenge isn't just filling plates but balancing them equitably.
Production and Supply
- Global cereal production reached 2.78 billion tonnes in 2022, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous year
- World milk production totaled 881 million tonnes in 2022, with Asia accounting for 47% of the total
- Global meat production hit 359 million tonnes in 2022, driven by poultry growth at 5.5%
- Vegetable oil production worldwide was 207 million tonnes in 2022, led by palm oil at 78 million tonnes
- Global sugar production stood at 182 million tonnes in 2022/23, with Brazil producing 39 million tonnes
- World fish production from aquaculture reached 130.9 million tonnes in 2022, surpassing capture fisheries
- Global fruit production was 396 million tonnes in 2022, with bananas leading at 24% share
- Pulse production globally totaled 95 million tonnes in 2022, up 7% due to demand in India and Africa
- World root and tuber production hit 870 million tonnes in 2022, potatoes comprising 40%
- Global rice production reached 514 million tonnes milled equivalent in 2022, Asia producing 90%
- Maize production worldwide was 1.17 billion tonnes in 2022, US leading with 384 million tonnes
- Soybean production globally stood at 391 million tonnes in 2022/23, Brazil at 156 million tonnes
- Global egg production totaled 88 million tonnes in 2022, China accounting for 37%
- World cottonseed oil production was 5.5 million tonnes in 2022, part of broader oilseeds
- Global cassava production reached 308 million tonnes in 2022, Africa producing 63%
- Beef production worldwide was 60 million tonnes carcass weight equivalent in 2022
- Pork production globally hit 114 million tonnes in 2022, China dominant at 55 million tonnes
- Poultry meat production reached 137 million tonnes in 2022, US and Brazil top producers
- Global apple production was 86 million tonnes in 2022, China leading with 46 million tonnes
- World tomato production totaled 186 million tonnes in 2022, with processing varieties key
- Global oil palm fruit production was 298 million tonnes in 2022, Indonesia and Malaysia leading
- Sorghum production worldwide reached 60 million tonnes in 2022, Africa and US main producers
- Global barley production was 142 million tonnes in 2022, EU significant contributor
- World grape production hit 79 million tonnes in 2022, for wine and table use
- Global orange production totaled 75 million tonnes in 2022, Brazil top producer
- Millet production worldwide was 29 million tonnes in 2022, key in Sahel region
- Global sunflower seed production reached 56 million tonnes in 2022, Ukraine major player
- World yam production was 81 million tonnes in 2022, Nigeria leading at 68%
- Global groundnut production totaled 53 million tonnes in 2022, China and India top
- Rapeseed production worldwide hit 82 million tonnes in 2022, Canada and EU leaders
Production and Supply Interpretation
The planet's dinner plate keeps getting fuller, with humanity industriously baking 2.78 billion tonnes of bread, milking 881 million cows, raising 359 million tonnes of meat, and farming the seas to the tune of 131 million tonnes of fish, all while Asia firmly holds the ladle and the Americas pass the corn and soybeans.
Regional Variations
- Africa contributes 17% of global food production but 25% population
- Asia consumes 60% of world rice, producing 90%
- North America per capita food availability 3,800 kcal/day vs global 2,900
- Sub-Saharan Africa food loss 30% higher than global average
- EU meat consumption 70 kg/capita/year, double global average
- Middle East oil consumption per capita 30 kg/year, highest globally
- Latin America fruit intake 120 kg/capita/year, tops world regions
- South Asia pulse consumption 12 kg/capita/year, vs 6 kg global
- Oceania dairy consumption 300 kg/capita/year, highest worldwide
- Eastern Europe potato intake 100 kg/capita/year
- Central Asia wheat consumption 160 kg/capita/year
- Southeast Asia fish consumption 55 kg/capita/year, double global
- Western Africa cassava 200 kg/capita/year in some countries
- North Africa vegetable oil 25 kg/capita/year
- East Asia soy products integral, 15 kg/capita/year tofu equivalent
- South America beef 50 kg/capita/year average
- Caribbean sugar intake 60 kg/capita/year
- Northern Europe fish 25 kg/capita/year
- Pacific Islands obesity 50% from high imported food diets
- Middle East fast food growth 10% yearly
- Sahel millet 30 kg/capita/year staple
- Andean quinoa rising to 5 kg/capita in Bolivia/Peru
- Baltic states dairy 400 liters/capita/year
- Gulf states poultry 40 kg/capita/year
- Horn of Africa sorghum 20 kg/capita/year
- Iberian pork 40 kg/capita/year
- Polynesia coconut 50 kg/capita/year oil equivalent
- Caucasus wine grapes 20 kg/capita/year
Regional Variations Interpretation
The world's dinner plate is a masterpiece of stark contrasts, where some regions feast on abundance and processed growth while others, despite remarkable staples, are plagued by the cruel arithmetic of having more mouths but less food on the table and in the larder.
Trade and Distribution
- Global food trade volume $1.9 trillion in 2022, cereals 15%
- Top food importers: US $170 billion, Germany $130 billion in 2022
- Soybean trade 170 million tonnes/year, 80% for animal feed
- Global wheat exports 200 million tonnes in 2022/23, EU 40%
- Palm oil trade 60 million tonnes annually, Indonesia 55% exporter
- Meat trade volume 30 million tonnes, Brazil top exporter at 25%
- Dairy trade $80 billion, New Zealand 30% milk powder share
- Rice trade 50 million tonnes/year, India and Thailand 60%
- Sugar trade 45 million tonnes, Brazil 50% exporter
- Fish trade value $160 billion in 2022, 15% of production
- Fruit trade 120 million tonnes, bananas 30 million
- Vegetable trade growing 5%/year, tomatoes leading
- Maize exports 190 million tonnes, US 50%
- Oilseeds trade $100 billion, Argentina key player
- Poultry trade 13 million tonnes, Brazil/US dominant
- Beef trade 10 million tonnes, Australia strong
- Processed food trade $1 trillion, 50% of total agri trade
- EU intra-trade 70% of its food imports
- China imports 100 million tonnes soybeans yearly
- Africa net food importer $35 billion deficit 2022
Trade and Distribution Interpretation
While our global dinner plate is generously heaped with $1.9 trillion worth of traded goods, it's a feast starkly divided—where some nations literally bring home the bacon and others, like Africa with its $35 billion deficit, are left holding the takeout menu.
Waste and Loss
- Global food waste at consumer level is 131 kg per capita per year in Europe and Oceania
- Worldwide, 14% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, totaling 1.3 billion tonnes annually
- In sub-Saharan Africa, 33% of food losses occur at post-harvest stage
- Global consumer food waste amounts to 1.05 billion tonnes yearly, 19% of total production
- North America wastes 106 kg of food per capita annually at household level
- 40% of US food supply is wasted, equating to 325 pounds per person per year
- In Asia, industrial food losses average 13% of production
- Global fruit and vegetable losses reach 45% in supply chain, highest among commodities
- 20% of global milk production is lost or wasted
- Cereals account for 20% of total global food loss, 250 million tonnes/year
- In Latin America, 16% of food is wasted at retail
- Household food waste in the EU is 70 kg per capita/year
- Global root crop losses post-harvest average 25% in developing countries
- 17% of global food availability at consumer level wasted, 74 kg/capita in Europe
- Fish losses in small-scale fisheries reach 10-20% due to inadequate storage
- 30% of bread produced globally is wasted
- Meat waste at consumer level is 10% globally, higher in high-income countries
- Oilseed losses average 10% worldwide
- 22% of vegetables wasted in household consumption globally
- Dairy waste in retail is 5% in industrialized nations
- Pulse losses post-harvest 15% in Africa
- Global sugar waste minimal at 2%, but absolute 3.6 million tonnes/year
- 50% of food wasted in India occurs at farm level
- US restaurant food waste is 22-33 billion pounds annually
- China household food waste averages 92g per person per day
- 13% of EU food waste from primary production
- Global aquaculture waste 15% due to mortality and spoilage
- 28% of world rice production lost post-harvest in SE Asia
- Fruit losses 20-30% in Mediterranean countries at harvest
- Brazil food waste at consumer level 27 kg/capita/year
- Japan discards 6.5 million tonnes food waste yearly, per capita 47 kg
Waste and Loss Interpretation
While we meticulously measure every gram of food lost from farm to fridge, our collective feast of folly is a stunning paradox where abundance fuels scarcity.
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