Meat Consumption in France: From Beef to Chicken

France has experienced a decline in meat consumption over the past twenty years, with average meat consumption per capita dropping by 5.8%. This decline is primarily attributed to a decrease in beef consumption, while the popularity of chicken in the French diet has been on the rise. In 2022, the average meat consumption stood at 83.5 kg carcass equivalent per inhabitant, according to a statistical note published by Agreste and FranceAgriMer.

While total meat consumption has increased in France over the past two decades, it has not kept pace with population growth. Beef consumption, in particular, has seen a significant decline from 26.3 kg carcass equivalent per capita in 2003 to 21.3 kg last year. However, the measurement in kg carcass equivalent may not accurately reflect actual consumption as it includes fat and bones.

Between 2022 and 2023, total meat consumption saw a slight increase following two years of decrease post-Covid-19. Meat imports also rose by 1.4% over the same period, but remain high, accounting for over 30% of total meat consumption in France. Beef and pork consumption have reached their lowest levels in twenty years, while chicken consumption continues to rise.

Chicken meat now accounts for around one-third of total meat consumption in France and is becoming increasingly popular among consumers due to its lower environmental impact compared to beef and pork. On average, the French consume around 7 kg of chicken per year or roughly half their daily caloric intake from animal protein sources like chicken breast or thighs