In 2021 Australians consumed around 44.13 kilos of poultry on average. Consumption of poultry was double that of the respective pork and beef categories and poultry was the only category to show any increase in consumption in recent years.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world (36%) followed by poultry (33%), beef (24%), and goats/sheep (5%).
Beef and veal and pig meat each account for between 20 and 30 kg per person. Fish accounts for around 15 kg per person and sheep meat for less than 10 kg per person. In contrast, in Australia's major Asian markets, fish accounts for a much larger share of consumption.
Australia's Favourite Meats
Now, chicken is by far the most widely consumed meat followed by pork. During the 1960s, the total meat consumption per capita in Australia was stable and people were consuming 110 kilograms of meat per person per year.
1. Chicken parmigiana. This classic Aussie chicken dish – with roots in Italian-American cooking – is a staple offering at many pub menus in the country. Whether you call it a parmi/parmy or a parma (but never a parmo), there's huge debate about where does the best parmigiana in Australia.
Australian beef, lamb and goat meat all contain 12 essential nutrients recommended for good health, including protein, iron, zinc, omega-3s, B vitamins (B12, B6, B5, niacin, riboflavin), magnesium, selenium and phosphorous.
We eat it because we know how to make meals using it in our limited time. We eat meat because we have lots of land with relatively low fertility well suited to grow animals on. We eat meat because it tastes delicious. Matthew Evans during filming of For The Love of Meat: Australia has been well suited to grazing.
In Australia, around 97% of cattle is grass fed thanks to our plentiful grazing pastures. Many steak aficionados prefer the taste of grass-fed beef as it tends to be more flavoursome and has a classic “meaty” profile.
Rice is a food staple for more than 3.5 billion people around the world, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa.
Compared to women, men eat more meat and are less open to becoming vegetarian. Simply considering between-gender differences, however, may overlook meaningful within-gender heterogeneity in how masculine and feminine identities associate with eating behavior.
Wild Alaskan salmon, oysters and sardines are highest in healthy fats; white fish such as cod or flounder tend to be leaner. White meat has slightly less saturated fat than dark. Turkey is fairly comparable to chicken in nutrients, but both its dark and white meat are slightly leaner.
Rockhampton is commonly known and referred to as the Beef Capital of Australia.
Ethiopia. Most Ethiopians belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which prescribes meat-free Wednesdays and Fridays as well as long periods of vegetarian fasting. Vegetarian food is therefore widely available, and no one will cringe when you mention your diet preferences (in France, they cringe and roll their eyes).
India is thought to have the most vegetarians globally, with up to 42% of the population avoiding meat products.
Ranked as the hungriest country in 2020, Chad is frequently at the bottom of the Global Hunger Index.
Australian cattle are mostly grass fed. This leads to healthier cattle, but also leaner meat. With less marbling on the steak, although healthier, it lacks in tenderness and flavour. That's not to say it doesn't have its own unique properties.
Roast lamb has been declared Australia's national dish in a major poll that shows we're still a country of meat eaters at heart. The poll, held on News Ltd websites across all mainland capitals, attracted more than 24,000 votes.
In Australia and across the world, the number of vegans and vegetarians is continuing to rise. Whether for ethical, political, environmental, religious, or economic reasons, more and more people in Australia are choosing plant-based and meat-free diets and lifestyles.
Cured meats, cold cuts, salami, and hot dogs are just a few examples of processed meats to limit or avoid. Scientific consensus confirms that eating large amounts of these processed meats will raise your risk of colon cancer. These meats are often high in both sodium and saturated fats, Malkani says.
Kangaroo is a lean meat with less than 2% fat, making it a healthier red meat option. It is also high in protein, essential B vitamins, minerals such as zinc, iron and omega 3 fats and omega 6 fatty acids. Compared to beef, kangaroo contains double the amount of iron and triple that of chicken and pork.
Melbourne is Australia's culinary capital and has the numbers to prove it. Get the facts behind Victoria's love of all things food. Melbourne has more than 3,500 restaurants and serves up cuisines from more than 70 countries.