What Country Eats the Most Turkey? A Look at Global Turkey Consumption

Turkey enjoys worldwide popularity, though it has not always been that way. While Americans feast on turkey for holidays like Thanksgiving, its consumption has expanded globally in recent decades. But what country actually eats the most turkey today? The levels of turkey consumption per capita reveal some interesting trends.

Turkey originated from North America, with the indigenous wild turkey species Meleagris gallopavo. This differs from other turkey species like the ocellated turkey Meleagris ocellata found in Central America. The Aztecs relied on the ocellated turkey as a food source.

In North America wild turkeys were an important source of meat for Native Americans. European colonists then adopted the practice of eating turkey from the indigenous peoples. Turkey became cemented as a traditional part of American cuisine especially for holidays.

But turkey was not as universally loved until more recently. Let’s look at which countries eat the most turkey today and how global turkey consumption has grown over time.

The United States Leads in Total Turkey Consumption

The United States is the undisputed leader in total turkey consumption by a wide margin.

• The US consumed 2,519 thousand tonnes of turkey in 2021, accounting for 41% of global turkey consumption

• The next highest consumer, the European Union, ate just 849 thousand tonnes or 14% of the global total

• Other top total consumers are Brazil, Mexico, Russia and Canada

America’s massive appetite for turkey can be attributed to long-standing cultural traditions centered around the bird for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

But Israel Tops Per Capita Turkey Consumption

Looking at per capita consumption presents a different picture, with Israel leading the world.

• Israelis consume approximately 28 pounds of turkey per person each year

• Americans eat around 16 pounds of turkey per capita annually

• Hungary, Portugal, Austria, Germany, and Chile round out the top per capita consumers

Israel lacks the land to raise sufficient red meat and turkey provides an affordable alternative source of poultry. Turkey is especially popular for shawarma sandwiches.

Global Demand for Turkey Has Grown Since the 1990s

While Americans have prized turkey for centuries, global demand for turkey is a more recent phenomenon beginning in the 1990s.

• In 1990, the US exported only 54 million pounds of turkey overseas, just 1% of production

• By 2022, US turkey exports reached over 728 million pounds, approximately 13% of production

• The main importers are Mexico, China, Canada, Hong Kong, and the Dominican Republic

Several factors fueled turkey’s growth worldwide, including trade agreements, rising incomes, and demand for alternatives to pork and other meats. Americans’ preference for white turkey meat also allows legs and thighs to be exported.

Promotional campaigns by turkey producers have also helped introduce it as an adaptable meat choice globally. Per capita consumption remains low in most of the world but is rising.

Outlook for Global Turkey Meat Consumption

Turkey offers an affordable and lean protein source compared to other meats. With expanding middle classes in developing nations, demand for turkey should continue increasing worldwide.

But the United States will maintain its position as the dominant turkey consumer thanks to well-established cultural traditions. Americans can be expected to gobble up turkey at around 16 pounds per person for the foreseeable future.

For other countries just discovering a taste for turkey, growth potential exists to one day potentially challenge Israel as the top per capita turkey consumer.