Americans are going to eat a lot of meat in 2018 — 222.2 pounds per person, according to USDA projections that are based on the expectation of a comparatively strong economy that will give people more disposable income. Meat consumption would rise by 2 percent from this year, with consumers putting more pork and beef in their shopping carts when they have the chance rather than lower-cost chicken.
The USDA’s 10-year agricultural projections say per capita meat consumption will rise by 4.4 pounds next year from this year’s 217.8 pounds. Cattle and hog production are climbing, so there will be plenty of red meat on the market. The USDA projections see beef consumption growing by 1.9 pounds per person in 2018 and pork by 1.7 pounds. Broiler chicken consumption would rise less — 0.8 pounds per person — although chicken will remain the most heavily consumed meat.
In its macroeconomic assumptions, the USDA projects GDP growth of 2.4 percent in 2018, notably stronger than in the preceding two years. Disposable personal income will rise by 4.8 percent, one point higher than in 2016 or 2017, it said, while inflation will be a benign 2 percent. The macroeconomic projections say the unemployment rate will tick upward in following years while the growth in GDP and disposable personal income will slow down.
To see the USDA tables, click here.