Bacon is a beloved food for many people around the world. The savory, salty, and smoky flavors make bacon a popular ingredient and topping for all kinds of dishes. But which countries love bacon the most? Here’s a look at global bacon consumption and which nations take the top spots.
Denmark Leads in Bacon Consumption
According to the data Denmark consumes the most pork meat per capita in the world. Danes eat over 140 pounds of pork per person per year on average. With bacon being a prime cut of pork belly it’s no surprise that Denmark also tops the charts for bacon consumption.
Danes integrate bacon into traditional open-faced sandwiches called smørrebrød. Bacon is also used in salads, omelets, soups, and even desserts like chocolates and cookies. The bacon industry in Denmark is well-established and efficient, able to meet high domestic demand.
America’s Love for Bacon
While Denmark may be #1 in total pork consumption America tops the list when it comes to eating specifically bacon. The average American consumes nearly 18 pounds of bacon per year. Much of this consumption comes in the form of everyone’s favorite bacon, lettuce and tomato (BLT) sandwich.
Americans also love bacon as a breakfast side, on burgers and hot dogs, in mac and cheese, on pizza, and wrapped around appetizers. The United States is home to a robust bacon industry and market. Popular flavors include applewood smoked, maple, and peppered.
Canadians Prefer Peameal Bacon
Our neighbors to the north in Canada also have a tasty bacon tradition. Canadian peameal bacon comes from pork loin rather than belly. It’s trimmed, cured, rolled in cornmeal, and sliced. This gives it a signature ham-like texture.
Peameal bacon is often served in breakfast sandwiches with egg, tomato, and cheese on a bagel or croissant. While Canadians eat less peameal bacon per capita than Americans eat regular bacon, it remains a staple food and national favorite.
Bacon Traditions Around the World
While Denmark America and Canada top the rankings. bacon has a place in cuisines worldwide
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In the United Kingdom and Ireland, back bacon is preferred over streaky bacon. It has a leaner cut from the pork loin.
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Germans enjoy speck, a cured and smoked pork belly that’s sliced thin or diced into lardons.
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The Dutch have their own version of bacon called bakkwa. It’s cured, dried, and smoked over bamboo.
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Italy features pancetta, a salt-cured bacon that’s unsmoked. It’s often used in pasta dishes and sauces.
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In Australia, middle bacon is the most common. It’s taken from the pork belly minus the streaky side portions.
The Best Ways to Cook Bacon
If you feel inspired to cook up some bacon after reading this, here are a few top cooking methods:
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Pan-frying is the standard way to get crispy bacon. Lay strips flat in a skillet over medium heat. Flip occasionally until browned.
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Baking allows you to cook large batches evenly. Place bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet and cook for 15-20 minutes at 400°F.
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Microwaving is quick. Put bacon between paper towels and microwave in 1 minute increments. Be careful of splatters!
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Grilling lends smoky flavor. Grill over direct medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
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Air frying makes bacon crispy. Air fry at 400°F for about 5 minutes, flip halfway through.
No matter how you cook it, bacon is beloved across cultures for its signature taste. While Denmark may be the top bacon consumer per capita, bacon holds a special place in cuisines and kitchens worldwide. So try out a new bacon recipe and join the global appreciation for this salty, savory treat!
Dominant Players in the Market
Companies fulfilling the demand for pork around the world include Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), JBS S.A. (OTC:JBSAY), and Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL).
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) is one of the largest global food companies and a recognized leader in protein. The company has a wide variety of products with consistent muscle size, tight trim specifications and reliable yields to meet customer needs worldwide. On November 29, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) reported the official opening of a new $300 million fully-cooked food production facility in Danville, Virginia. This plant will be producing almost four million pounds of premium quality, fully-cooked poultry products weekly. It has also created approximately 400 new jobs for the southeastern Virginia region. The Danville facility is one of the most automated company plants to date. Hence, this development reflects the company’s commitment to driving long-term growth and operational efficiency in its business.
JBS USA Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of JBS S.A. (OTC:JBSAY), is another significant pork producer. The company has been providing protein and food solutions to customers in 100 countries across six continents. Hogs are sourced from local family farms in the USA, UK, and Australia. It offers premium pork products that provide a superior eating experience. On December 1, the company announced a $9 million investment over the next three years to enhance transparency in the livestock supply chain in Pará and the broader Amazon region. This partnership with the state government aims to achieve 100% of the state’s cattle tagged for individual traceability from birth to slaughter by 2026. Under this initiative, JBS S.A. (OTC:JBSAY) will be helping smallholders offset the cost of animal identification tags and providing technical help for producers to make a living in the Amazon region without cutting trees.
Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) is an American food processing company. The company has been producing first-rate pork products for over 100 years. Featured brands from the firm include Hormel Natural Choice which comes in a wide variety of fresh pork cuts with no artificial ingredients or added preservatives and Hormel Fire Braised meats that offer juicy pork. Leveraging a strong presence in the US, the firm will be contributing to the upcoming holiday season through a new offering. On December 5, Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) reported that HORMEL® Pepperoni, the top-selling American brand of pepperoni, has launched an all-new, limited-edition ‘Ultimate Pepperoni Bloody Mary Cocktail Kit’ for the holiday season in America.
Now that we have taken a look at the global pork industry, let’s move to the top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption. You can also view countries with the highest chicken consumption and countries with the highest beef production.
Top 20 Countries with the Highest Pork Consumption
Our Methodology:
In order to compile a list of the top 20 countries with the highest pork consumption, we have sourced data from the official Supply Utilization database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or FAO. We selected the element ‘food supply quantity’ since it is the total amount of the commodity available as human food during the year. It includes the commodity in question, as well as any commodity derived therefrom as a result of further processing. Pork was selected as the commodity.
We further screened the database to find the top 20 countries with the highest per capita pork consumption. The latest data available was from 2021. Finally, we put the countries in order of how much pork each person ate, measured in kilograms, as of 2021.
The Global Pork Industry: An Analysis
According to a report by Research and Markets, the global pork market was valued at $254.53 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $418.37 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.6% over the forecasted period.
Region-wise, Asia is the leading pork consumer. The Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Japan are major markets for pork consumption in this region. East Asians have liked pig meat for a long time because it tastes good and has a lot of fat in it. Pork consumption is also high in North America and Europe. Major pork exporters include the United States, Canada, Brazil, and European countries. Japan, mainland China, Mexico, Italy, and South Korea were the major import markets for pork.
Factors driving growth in the global pork industry include growing disposable incomes, a significant middle-class population, and the relative cheapness of pork as compared to other meats. The ease of accessing the retail market for packaged pork meat has also driven the market demand. The need for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook pork meat products due to the surge in the working population is another trend in the market. Similarly, household pork consumption is high since pork is deemed a rich source of protein and vitamins. Simultaneously, prominent issues facing the global pork industry include a rising inclination towards veganism and the laws against animal cruelty.
what country eats the most bacon
Which country eats the most Bacon?
In 2016, Denmark consumed a whopping 24.6 pounds of bacon per person, making it the clear leader in bacon consumption. The United States, on the other hand, consumed an average of 18 pounds per person annually. Other countries that rank high in bacon consumption include Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Which country eats the most meat?
This voracious appetite for meat is deeply rooted in their heritage as a nation of skilled shepherds. Papua New Guinea, meanwhile, tops the “other meat” consumption rankings. The country is the largest producer of game meat in the world, due to its mostly rural and indigenous population relying on hunting.
Do Germans eat bacon?
Germans use the term bacon explicitly for Frühstücksspeck (‘breakfast Speck ‘) which are cured or smoked pork slices. Traditional German cold cuts favour ham over bacon, however Wammerl (grilled pork belly) remains popular in Bavaria.
Which country eats the most fish in the world?
In the middle of the North Atlantic ocean, Iceland eats the most fish and seafood in the world, at a staggering 90 kg (nearly 200 lbs), per person per year. That also gives Iceland the crown for the highest per-capita consumption of any single type of meat.
Where did Bacon come from before the Industrial Revolution?
Before the Industrial Revolution, bacon was generally produced on local farms and in domestic kitchens. The world’s first commercial bacon processing plant was opened in Wiltshire in the 1770s by John Harris. The United States and Canada have seen an increase in the popularity of bacon and bacon-related recipes, dubbed “bacon mania”.
Is Bacon bad for You?
Regular bacon consumption is associated with increased mortality and other health concerns. Bacon is also used for barding and larding roasts, especially game, including venison and pheasant, and may also be used to insulate or flavour roast joints by being layered onto the meat.