According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Turkmenistan has become one of the world’s leading countries in per-capita consumption of lamb and goat meat. Based on the latest statistics, the country ranks fourth with an average of 20.3 kilograms per person per year, Orient.tm reports.
Meat from small ruminants remains a key part of the national diet, widely used in traditional dishes and culinary practices. FAO data show the following global leaders in lamb and goat meat consumption:
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Mongolia — 68.5 kg
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Bahrain — 23.4 kg
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New Caledonia — 21.9 kg
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Turkmenistan — 20.3 kg
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Chad — 19.0 kg
Mongolia’s exceptionally high figures are attributed to its nomadic herding culture and natural conditions, where meat traditionally forms the basis of the diet.
The global statistics also highlight other trends:
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Argentina, Zimbabwe, and the United States lead the world in beef consumption.
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The highest poultry consumption is observed in Caribbean and Oceanic states, including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga, and the Marshall Islands.
Meat consumption patterns vary significantly around the world depending on cultural traditions, economic conditions, and the structure of local agriculture. Against this background, Turkmenistan maintains stable dietary traditions and underscores the importance of meat production for national food security.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
18 November 2025