Meat consumption in Australia - Data and Analysis (1975-2034)

IBISWorld expects meat consumption to rise by 1.0% during 2026-27 to 100.6 kilograms per capita. This modest recovery follows a sharp 5.2% drop in 2025-26, when record beef production was largely directed to export markets as exporters capitalised on tight global supply, keeping domestic beef and lamb prices high. Beef production is forecast to moderate by 5% in 2026-27 but remain the second highest on record, while beef export volumes are set to ease from their 2025-26 peak, leaving slightly more product for the domestic market. Per capita beef and veal consumption is expected to edge up to around 17.0 kilograms, while chicken and pork consumption are also set to rise, with the value of poultry slaughtering forecast to climb by 6% as processors lift output to meet strong domestic demand.Over the last two decades, Australian consumer tastes have shifted. While beef was formerly the dominant meat, chicken overtook beef and veal per capita consumption in 2001-02 and has continued to widen its lead because of its affordability and versatility. Chicken consumption is expected to reach 54.8 kilograms per person in 2026-27, up from 50.2 kilograms in 2021-22, while beef and veal consumption has dropped from 20.5 kilograms to 17.0 kilograms over the same period. Sheep meat remains the least consumed of the traditional meats, falling to an estimated 4.8 kilograms per person, as strong export demand and elevated lamb prices limit domestic purchases. Pork consumption has eased from a peak of 25.9 kilograms in 2022-23 and is expected to sit at around 24.1 kilograms per capita in 2026-27.Cost-of-living pressures over the past five years have pushed households towards less expensive proteins, reinforcing the shift towards chicken. Chicken's share of total meat consumption is expected to reach 54.4% in 2026-27, up from 49.3% in 2021-22. Over the same period, beef and veal's share has fallen from 20.1% to 16.9%, pig meat's share has eased from 25.3% to 23.9% and sheep meat's share has slipped from 5.3% to 4.7%. Health consciousness and the wider availability of plant-based alternatives continue to weigh on red meat demand. Overall, meat consumption is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 0.2% over the five years through 2026-27.