Category: Global trade

While the world's beef consumption reached approximately 130 billion pounds in 2020, determining who buys the most beef involves distinguishing between total volume and per capita metrics. The United States consistently ranks as the top consumer by total volume, though other nations lead in individual consumption. This article explores the nuances behind these figures, highlighting major players in the global beef market.

Pork is the most consumed meat in China, dominating the nation's diet with millions of tons eaten annually. This preference is deeply ingrained in Chinese cuisine and culture, making China both the world's largest producer and consumer of pork. However, evolving consumer preferences, rising incomes, and health concerns are slowly influencing dietary shifts towards other protein sources like poultry and beef.

The United States, despite being a global agriculture powerhouse, has become a net food importer since 2015, with tropical fruits and seafood among the heavily imported items. So, what percent of the food we eat is imported is not a single, universal number, but rather a complex figure that fluctuates dramatically depending on your location and specific diet. This article explores the varied statistics and reasons behind our global dependency.

As the world's leading blueberry exporter, with export values exceeding $2.27 billion in 2024, Peru’s berries are a major global commodity. This explosive growth prompts the question: does Peru have good blueberries that meet consumer expectations for taste, texture, and size? The answer is a resounding yes, thanks to a combination of ideal growing conditions, advanced agricultural techniques, and continuous genetic innovation.

According to World Population Review data from 2022, Argentina ranks highest in cattle meat consumption per capita, with Uruguay following closely behind. While countries like the United States and China consume more total beef due to their large populations, the per capita metric reveals different countries with a deep-seated cultural connection to beef. This ranking often shifts slightly based on economic factors and reporting methodologies, but South American nations consistently top the list.

In 2024, Japan’s agricultural, forestry, and fisheries exports hit a new record high of 1.507 trillion yen, demonstrating strong performance despite global challenges like a seafood ban in China. This growth is driven by the global popularity of Japanese cuisine and the high quality of its products. Discover what are Japan's biggest food exports contributing to this success.

With the global whey market size valued at $6.5 billion in 2023, and global milk production topping 944 million tonnes, the industry has seen remarkable growth in recent years. The question of which country produces the most whey is a complex one, influenced by cheese production, processing technology, and shifting export dynamics.

Globally, most cinnamon sold in supermarkets is not 'true' cinnamon but a different species known as Cassia. This common variety, often simply labeled 'cinnamon,' originates from countries like Indonesia and China and has a much higher coumarin content than its premium counterpart.

According to recent market analysis, global vegetable oil production is projected to have reached an all-time high of approximately 224.2 million metric tons in the 2024-25 crop year. Of this immense quantity, palm oil consistently holds the largest market share, making it the world's most popular vegetable oil. Its widespread use is driven by a combination of high yield, low cost, and versatility in numerous food and industrial applications.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 192 million tonnes of tomatoes were produced in 2023, far surpassing any other single fruit by weight. However, this leads to a fundamental question: what is the most eaten fruit in the world, and does total production truly reflect direct, fresh consumption?