This week’s U.S. Grains Council Chart of the Week shows poultry meat consumption in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The pattern of increased poultry meat consumption in developing countries reflects the growing demand for improved diets. This chart suggests that the higher commodity and input prices in recent years have had little impact on the growth of poultry meat consumption in the developing world.

The Middle East had a significant increase in poultry meat consumption, which climbed 2.5 million metric tons, up 87 percent, from 2002 to 2012. South and Southeast Asia had consumption climb 56 percent and 40 percent in each region, and Sub-Saharan Africa consumption doubled. This steady growth illustrates the strength of the growing middle class worldwide. The lines on this chart point to the future: continued increase in the number of families that can afford better diets. Responding to that growing demand is a great opportunity for U.S. agriculture.