Today’s consumer recognizes turkey’s nutritional value and enjoys turkey year-round – not just during the holidays. The turkey industry has developed from a single-product, holiday-oriented market to a year-round, diversified and value-added product line. Increasingly, turkey products are marketed in a variety of ways and serve as a staple for health-conscious consumers.
Turkey by the Numbers highlights trends in turkey production and consumption as well as key export markets for U.S. turkey products. For additional statistics about the U.S. turkey industry, visit USDA’s Turkey Sector page.
Turkey consumption has nearly doubled since 1970 (8.2 pounds per capita), as consumer education and awareness of the nutritional value and taste of turkey products continue to increase. For instance, ground turkey has seen a significant increase in popularity as a nutrient-rich, lower fat substitute for ground beef.
With the value added to turkey through processing into a wide variety of cuts, parts and further processed products, turkey production in the United States has increased to meet consumer demand as more people choose turkey. In 2021, U.S. total turkey production was tallied at 216.5 million birds raised, equaling to 5.558 billion pounds.
According to USDA, the top turkey producing states are Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Iowa and California.
The U.S. turkey industry currently exports more than 10 percent of its products, and trade remains a market segment with growth potential for the industry. In 2021, 549 million pounds of U.S. turkey was exported.
The ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2020 was a significant step for the turkey industry, fortifying two critical relationships with Mexico and Canada. Mexico is by far the largest export market for U.S. turkey products. Since 2014, the U.S. has exported 3.1 billion pounds of turkey meat globally. Of that, over 2 billion pounds have gone to Mexico, amounting to nearly 450 million pounds in 2021.
The expansion of U.S. turkey products to foreign markets not only benefits the economy, but also sustains thousands of American jobs and allows turkey producers to provide a healthful, nutritious protein option to people around the world. NTF continues to identify markets of interest and plays a significant role in building relationships and securing trade opportunities in the global marketplace.
For many of us, turkey is synonymous with Thanksgiving. Americans consume a whopping 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving alone! But when looking at per capita turkey consumption on a year-round basis, the United States doesn’t even crack the top 10.
In this article we’ll explore global turkey eating habits and reveal which country consumes the most turkey per person per year. The results may surprise you!
A Brief History of Turkey Consumption
While turkeys are native to North America, European explorers first encountered the bird in Mexico during the 16th century. Soon after, turkeys were introduced across Europe and became popular as an exotic delicacy.
For the first couple hundred years, turkey remained a food for the elite But eventually, turkey breeding spread throughout Europe and the birds became more accessible When European settlers arrived in America, they brought domesticated turkeys with them from England.
During the 19th century, advances in poultry farming made turkeys even more economical. By the early 20th century, the turkey had transitioned from a luxury food item to a dietary staple across much of the Western world.
The Truth About U.S. Turkey Consumption
Given that the turkey originates from North America and features prominently at Thanksgiving, many assume the United States must lead the world in per capita turkey consumption. But the numbers tell a different story.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American eats 16 pounds of turkey per year. While this is significantly higher than the worldwide per capita average of 7 pounds, it’s nowhere near the top spot globally.
Interestingly, Americans ate an average of only 8.3 pounds of turkey per person as recently as 1975. Turkey consumption has nearly doubled in the past 40 years thanks to the bird’s popularity and versatility as an affordable, healthy meat option.
Global Leaders in Turkey Eating
So if Americans aren’t number one, who is?
According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the world leaders in per capita turkey consumption are:
- Israel – 28 pounds
- Hungary – 20 pounds
- United States – 16 pounds
- Ireland – 14 pounds
- France – 13 pounds
Israel tops the list by a significant margin. The average Israeli consumes over 28 pounds of turkey per year, 74% more than Americans!
Several factors explain Israel’s annual turkey craze. Turkeys are considered a staple protein source and an inexpensive meat option. Additionally, turkeys are popular for festivals and family gatherings. Finally, turkey pastrami has become a favored local delicacy.
Hungary claims the number two spot. Turkey gained traction in Hungary as a Christmas delicacy. It also commonly appears in goulash, a signature Hungarian stew.
France and Ireland round out the top five. Historically, poultry has played a major role in French cuisine. The French often utilize turkey in patés, mixed poultry dishes, and pot pies. Turkey’s popularity in Ireland can be traced to the country’s farming heritage.
Notable Mentions
While the top five countries dominate global turkey consumption, several other nations show a strong affinity for the bird:
- Canada (9 pounds per capita)
- Austria (7 pounds per capita)
- Germany (7 pounds per capita)
- Chile (5 pounds per capita)
- Portugal (5 pounds per capita)
Canadians eat turkey at Thanksgiving just like Americans. Chile’s turkey consumption reflects the popularity of poultry in the South American country. Germany and Austria have embraced turkey as a leaner protein option compared to pork.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to gobbling up turkey by the pound, Israel is the world’s undisputed champion. The Middle Eastern country consumes over 28 pounds of turkey meat per person each year.
While Americans eat more turkey than most, they rank only 3rd globally in per capita consumption. Much of the world, including European nations like France and Ireland, has developed an affinity for turkey over time.
So next Thanksgiving when you sit down to savor a turkey dinner, consider that millions around the world will be enjoying the tasty bird that day too!
What country eats the most turkeys?
FAQ
What country eats the most turkey per capita?
Who eats the most turkey in the US?
In what countries do people eat turkey?
How much turkey does the US consume?
What is the per capita consumption of turkey meat?
Israel and the United States of America consume the most turkey annually. Israel consumes 28 lbs per capita, and the USA roughly 15.3 lbs.
Which country eats the most turkeys a year?
In fact, approximately seven out of eight families in the United States consume turkey on Thanksgiving Day. On the other hand, the United States is not the country that consumes the most turkeys every year per capita. That belongs to Israel, where an even greater percentage of the population consumes turkey every year.
Does Israel eat turkey every year?
That belongs to Israel, where an even greater percentage of the population consumes turkey every year. There are plenty of other countries that consume turkey regularly as well. Is Turkey a Dry Meat? Yes, turkey is considered to be relatively dry meat.
What is meat consumption per capita?
Meat consumption per capita refers to the total meat retained for use in country per person per year. Total meat includes meat from animals slaughtered in countries, irrespective of their origin, and comprises horsemeat, poultry, and meat from all other domestic or wild animals such as camels, rabbits, reindeer, and game animals