Which are the Top 20 Meat-Producing Countries in the World in 2025?

Looking for the top meat-producing countries in 2025? 

Global meat production is still growing, led by poultry but supported by increases in pork and (in some regions) beef. FAO/OECD estimates put world meat production in 2025 at roughly 384 million tonnes (carcass weight equivalent) — a small increase over 2024 — with most growth coming from poultry and selected developing countries expanding production capacity. These changes reshape which countries dominate the market and how they supply domestic and global demand.

How this ranking was compiled?

This list combines the latest FAO/FAOSTAT country production data (most recent complete year) with the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook projections for 2025 and national agency updates (USDA, ABPA, national statistics). Where 2025 national estimates were available from authoritative sources, those were used to refine the ranking. Because production totals shift year-to-year (disease outbreaks, weather, feed costs), the ranking represents a synthesis of official 2023–2025 data and the most recent 2025 outlooks.

Top 20 meat-producing countries in 2025 

1. China — Still the world’s largest single-country meat producer, China’s meat sector (pork, poultry, beef) drove much of the global growth in the past decade. Post-ASF recovery in pork and large-scale poultry expansion keep China at the top.

2. United States — A major producer of beef, poultry and pork; efficient, industrialized systems make the U.S. one of the largest per-country producers and exporters of several meat categories. U.S. production trends are closely tracked by USDA reports.

3. Brazil — A meat giant in beef, poultry and pork. Brazil’s combination of pastureland, feed crop production, and large processing sectors makes it a top global producer and exporter; 2025 projections show further growth in poultry and pork.

4. India — Rapidly increasing meat production is driven mainly by poultry (chicken) and rising domestic demand. While per-capita meat consumption remains lower than in high-income countries, sheer population size pushes India into a top-producer position.

5. Russia — Large livestock sectors (pork and poultry in particular) keep Russia among the biggest producers; regional demand and expanding domestic processing capacity are important drivers.

6. Mexico — Significant producer of pork and poultry with strong domestic consumption and export markets (notably to the U.S.). Mexico’s meat sector remains a major regional supplier.

7. Indonesia — Growing poultry output (and some pork in select regions) plus a rapidly rising domestic market make Indonesia a top-20 meat producer in recent years.

8. Argentina — Historically famous for beef, Argentina remains a major beef producer and exporter. Although cattle numbers vary with weather and feed availability, beef is still a core agricultural product.

9. Germany — One of Europe’s largest meat producers (especially pork and poultry). EU internal demand combined with strong processing and export infrastructure secures Germany’s top-10 place in Europe and top-20 globally.

10. Spain — A major EU meat-producing country, particularly in pork and poultry; Spain’s processing industry is export-oriented. Recent disease outbreaks in parts of Europe can affect short-term trade and production patterns.

11. France — A substantial producer of beef and pork inside the EU; diversified livestock systems and strong domestic consumption support France’s place among the top producers.

12. Australia — Big on beef and sheep meat (and growing grain-fed export beef). Australia’s export-focused industry often lifts it into the world’s top producers by value and exports, even when absolute tonnage is smaller than the largest countries. Recent increases in feedloted beef have strengthened output.

13. Turkey — Large and growing poultry sector plus significant red-meat production; Turkey ranks high regionally and within the top-20 global producers.

14. Vietnam — Rapid growth in pork and poultry production over recent years, largely to satisfy domestic demand and some export flows. Vietnam’s meat industry recovered and expanded after disease setbacks earlier in the decade.

15. Thailand — Strong poultry and pork production make Thailand a top regional meat supplier; integration with feed, processing and export chains supports production growth.

16. Iran — Significant red-meat (sheep/goat, beef) and growing poultry sectors place Iran among the top producers of the region and inside the global top-20.

17. Philippines — Poultry production (chicken) and growing pork output push the Philippines into the upper ranks of global meat producers, driven by strong domestic consumption.

18. Pakistan — Large small-ruminant (goat/sheep) and poultry sectors; population growth and demand for animal protein place Pakistan inside the top producers group.

19. Colombia — Growing poultry and pork industries plus beef production make Colombia one of Latin America’s significant meat producers.

20. Canada — Strong beef and pork industries with substantial per-capita outputs and export activity; Canada usually sits inside global top-20 lists by volume and value.

Trends and context to watch in 2025

• Poultry drives short-term growth. Lower feed costs (when they occur) and faster flock turnover continue to make poultry the fastest-growing meat category globally. FAO and OECD forecast most 2025 growth to come from poultry.

• Disease and trade disruptions matter. African swine fever, avian influenza and regional disease events periodically reshape production and trade patterns — e.g., localized bans reduce exports even when production rises. Recent 2025 outbreaks in parts of Europe and Asia show how sensitive the sector remains.

• Shifting regional leadership. Asia (led by China and India) accounts for most of the growth; Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia) remains dominant for beef and major for poultry/pork exports. OECD-FAO projects Asia to deliver over half of the decade’s meat production growth.

• Sustainability and supply chain changes. Increasing scrutiny on greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation (in some beef supply chains), and water use encourages efficiency gains, supply-chain traceability and interest in alternative proteins — all factors that will influence long-term production.

Numbers and rankings in livestock production can shift rapidly due to disease outbreaks, feed price shocks, weather, and policy changes. The ranking above is synthesized from FAO/OECD projections and 2023–2025 national updates; for article pages where precision matters, link to FAOSTAT (raw country totals) and the OECD-FAO outlook, and refresh figures periodically. If you want, I can now: