What Country Eats the Most Turkey?

Turkey is a popular meat around the world, especially in countries that celebrate Thanksgiving like the United States But which country actually consumes the most turkey per capita? Let’s take a look at turkey consumption by country and find out who are the biggest turkey lovers

Turkey Consumption by Country

The country that eats the most turkey per capita is Israel at 2866 pounds per person. Turkey is hugely popular in Israel, where it is enjoyed year-round in dishes like turkey schnitzel and turkey shawarma. Israel has embraced turkey as a tasty and healthier alternative to red meat.

The United States comes in second at 16.55 pounds of turkey consumed per capita. Americans eat turkey primarily during the Thanksgiving holiday, when around 46 million turkeys are consumed. While turkey is not as popular year-round in the U.S., Thanksgiving accounts for a huge spike in turkey consumption.

Hungary consumes the third most turkey in the world at 19.84 pounds per capita. Turkey is widely used in Hungarian cuisine in classics like turkey paprikash. Other top turkey-eating countries include Ireland, France, Portugal, Tunisia and Canada.

Overall, poultry consumption has been rising globally while red meat consumption is falling. Turkey is well positioned to benefit from this trend as a tasty and healthier poultry option.

Why Is Turkey Popular?

There are several reasons why turkey has gained popularity as a meat choice:

• Health – Turkey is lower in fat and cholesterol compared to red meat like beef and pork. The white meat in turkey is especially lean.

• Versatility – Turkey combines well with various culinary styles. It can be roasted, grilled, smoked, used in sandwiches, soups and casseroles.

• Cost – Turkey is generally cheaper than beef or lamb. A whole turkey can feed a large group, making it popular for holidays.

• Taste – Turkey has a milder flavor than chicken and other poultry. When properly cooked, it can be juicy and flavorful.

• Availability – Turkey farming has increased dramatically since the 1970s, making turkey more widely available worldwide. It’s now easy to find turkey year-round.

Turkey Farming

Turkey production has grown steadily over the past five decades, encouraged by the increasing popularity of turkey meat. Global turkey production hit over 6.2 million tonnes in 2020.

The top turkey producing country is the United States, producing over 2.5 million tonnes annually. In fact, the U.S. produced 41% of the world’s turkey supply. Other leading producers include Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Brazil.

Commercial turkey farming looks quite different from the traditional image of turkeys roaming in a barnyard. Today’s turkey farms are intensive indoor operations with large numbers of birds raised in climate-controlled sheds. This allows farmers to better control feeding and environmental factors.

The Future of Turkey Meat

The global turkey meat market is projected to continue growing at around 5% annually over the next decade. This growth will be driven by further adoption of Western diets and lifestyles in developing countries. As global incomes rise, diets are shifting towards more poultry consumption compared to red meat.

At the same time, health-conscious consumers are seeking healthier meat choices like turkey. The versatility of turkey for cooking different dishes also works in its favor. With improved farming techniques, turkey production is likely to keep pace with increasing demand.

So while Americans eat a lot of turkey during Thanksgiving, it’s countries like Israel and Hungary that are the true turkey superfans. As turkey farming expands globally, we can expect more countries to develop a taste for this healthy and versatile meat. Gobble gobble!