Published in News
Market Pulse: Meat Consumption Booms in US & Asia as Europe Shrinks
New report shows US & Asia meat consumption booming while Europe declines. US feedlots see quality surge from beef-on-dairy cattle. UK bird flu cases hit 68.
Bo Pedersen
Chief Revenue Officer
Lead Story: The Great Consumption Divide – US & Asia Boom, Europe Shrinks
A major new analysis has exposed a widening chasm in global meat consumption habits. While environmental and health pressures are driving down demand in Europe, the appetite for meat in the United States and Asia is hitting record highs.
Key Data Points
USA: Annual per capita meat consumption is estimated to reach 227 lbs (103 kg) this year, a 10% increase since 2010.
Europe: In stark contrast, European consumption has fallen by nearly 19% over the same period, dropping to 152 lbs (69 kg) per person.
Asia: Consumption has doubled since 1990. Vietnam leads the charge with a massive 122% increase, followed by India (+54%) and Turkey (+53%).
Strategic Implications
Export Pivot: European processors must accelerate their pivot to Asian markets not just for offal, but for core muscle cuts, as the domestic EU market structurally shrinks.
US Resilience: The data suggests the "peak meat" narrative has not taken hold in the US, where consumers continue to prioritise protein intake despite inflationary pressures.
Production Trend: US "Beef-on-Dairy" Revolutionises Feedlot Quality
The integration of beef genetics into dairy herds is transforming the US beef supply chain. New data from Hy Plains Feedyard (Kansas) reveals that beef-on-dairy crossbred calves are now outperforming traditional expectations.
Performance Metrics
Quality Surge: Feedlot operators report that these crossbred cattle are now achieving 90-100% Choice and 20-30% Prime grades.
Genetic Shift: The improvement is driven by advanced sire selection, allowing dairy farms to produce high-value terminal calves that command a premium over straight dairy steers (which previously dragged down feedlot averages).
Impact
Supply Stabilisation: This steady stream of high-quality calves is helping to buffer US beef production against the cyclical lows of the traditional beef cattle herd.
Packer Preference: Processors are increasingly seeking out these consistent, high-marbling animals, creating a permanent new revenue stream for dairy producers.
UK: Bird Flu Outbreaks Reach 68 as Virus Spreads West
The UK poultry sector's winter crisis shows no sign of abating. Defra confirmed new outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in Lincolnshire (Welton) and Kent (Newington) over the weekend, bringing the season's total to 68 confirmed cases.
Impact
Commercial Hit: Both new cases occurred at large commercial premises, necessitating the culling of tens of thousands of birds just days before the Christmas peak.
Zone Expansion: New 3km Protection and 10km Surveillance zones are in force, further complicating logistics for feed trucks and live bird transport in key poultry-producing regions.
Sources
Investigate Midwest: Meat consumption grows in US and Asia, while Europe is on the decline (Verified 16 Dec 2025)
Drovers: Filling Pens: Beef-on-Dairy Feeders Are Here to Stay (Verified 17 Dec 2025)
GOV.UK: Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England (Verified 16 Dec 2025)