10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries– By the way, rabbits are mammals from the Leporidae family that have a positively beneficial role. Commonly, its animal is one of favorite one. Sometimes, this animal is very funny and cute. Besides of this cuteness, this animal can give the source of protein to our body. Some people like to eat rabbit meat.
Historically, rabbits were originally wild animals that were difficult to tame in the past. Basically, rabbits are domesticated by humans for the purpose of beauty and consumption. According to Biology Science especially in Taxonomy, rabbits can be classified into several levels, namely the Order: Lagomorpha; Family: Leporidae; Subfamily: Leporine Genus: Lepus, Orictolagus; Species: Lepus spp., Orictolagus spp (Wikipedia, 2021).
In general, rabbits reproduce by vivipary. Previously, this animal was a wild animal that lived in Africa to mainland Europe. Based on its history, the word rabbit comes from the Dutch language, namely “konijntje” which means “rabbit”. Over time, along with the development of life, various types of rabbits are kept and bred by humans. Specifically, common types of rabbits that are usually human-like are American Chinchilla, Angora, Belgian, Californian, Dutch, English Spot, Flemish Giant, Havana, Himalayan, New Zealand Red, White, and Black, and American Rex. When In terms of rabbit species for meat production, the New Zealand White and Californian types are some of the best choices for meat production.
Until now, rabbits are one of the alternative livestock which has great potential to diversify the supply of animal protein sources for human consumption besides beef or chicken meats. Until 2021, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database, the total production of rabbit meat worldwide in that year reached 861 thousand tons. This figure is slightly lower than the production data in 2020 of 899 thousand -tons but the potential is still quite large in the future. By the way, Statistically, here are the 10 World’s largest rabbit meat producing-countries in the world based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat) in 2021.
The World’s Production of Rabbit’s Meat From 1980 to 2021
| Years | World’s Production of Rabbit’s Meat |
|---|---|
| (Tonnes) | |
| 1980 | 725,703 |
| 1981 | 723,111 |
| 1982 | 728,269 |
| 1983 | 735,544 |
| 1984 | 748,258 |
| 1985 | 755,526 |
| 1986 | 776,978 |
| 1987 | 817,271 |
| 1988 | 833,848 |
| 1989 | 779,684 |
| 1990 | 783,004 |
| 1991 | 595,085 |
| 1992 | 625,650 |
| 1993 | 652,319 |
| 1994 | 675,253 |
| 1995 | 705,536 |
| 1996 | 770,028 |
| 1997 | 735,019 |
| 1998 | 760,080 |
| 1999 | 752,695 |
| 2000 | 846,150 |
| 2001 | 924,099 |
| 2002 | 946,914 |
| 2003 | 947,337 |
| 2004 | 943,221 |
| 2005 | 987,320 |
| 2006 | 1,021,564 |
| 2007 | 1,094,600 |
| 2008 | 1,070,800 |
| 2009 | 1,120,663 |
| 2010 | 1,185,447 |
| 2011 | 1,253,124 |
| 2012 | 1,255,356 |
| 2013 | 1,298,076 |
| 2014 | 1,317,493 |
| 2015 | 1,307,227 |
| 2016 | 1,146,164 |
| 2017 | 954,245 |
| 2018 | 901,390 |
| 2019 | 913,356 |
| 2020 | 899,726 |
| 2021 | 861,739 |
| Source: FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Based on the continental regions, the main areas of rabbit’s meat are located in Asia and Europe regions. Asia produced 597 thousand tonnes and Europe generated 150 thousand tonnes. Meanwhile Africa produced 98 thousand tonnes and America with 15 thousand tonnes.
The World’s Production of Rabbit’s Meat Based on Continent in 2021
| Continent | Production of Rabbit’s Meat in 2021 |
|---|---|
| (Tonnes) | |
| Africa | 98,360 |
| Americas | 15,460 |
| Asia | 597,147 |
| Europe | 150,773 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
The Rank of the 10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries Based on Data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat) in 2021
| Ranks | Countries | Production of Meat from Rabbit in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 462,681 |
| 2 | Democratic People’s Republic of Korea | 131,126 |
| 3 | Egypt | 72,000 |
| 4 | France | 25,707 |
| 5 | Russian Federation | 18,719 |
| 6 | Ukraine | 10,900 |
| 7 | Algeria | 8,474 |
| 8 | Sierra Leone | 8,142 |
| 9 | Mexico | 4,496 |
| 10 | Rwanda | 3,751 |
| Source:FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries
1.China
In 2021, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAOStat), rabbit’s meat production from this panda country reached 462 thousand tons. With this production, China still became the World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Country. In general, based on the production area, several provinces in China have become the center of rabbit meat production. These provinces include Shandong with a production contribution of about 26% of China’s total national rabbit meat production, Hebei with a contribution of 12% and Sichuan with 20% of national production (Zoltan et al., 2017). Of the total production, China also exports rabbit meat to several countries in the world, which usually has a destination to several countries in Europe.
2.North Korea
In 2021, North Korea is the 2nd largest rabbit meat producer in the world. In this country, rabbit meat is very popular and is used as an alternative protein source for their citizens. Even since the 1970s, the North Korean government has implemented a unique policy that requires school children to keep at least 2 rabbits per person (Global Security, 2021). In 2019, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat), the production of rabbit meat from Kim Jong-Un’s home country reached 131 thousand tons.
3.Egypt
Egypt is a country in Africa that has the 3rd largest production of rabbit meat in the world. In this country, Rabbits are mostly developed in rural areas and account for 90% of the total national production of rabbits. In rural areas, rabbits are mostly developed by small farmers (Mostafa et al., 2020). Statistically, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat), the production of rabbit meat from Gamal Abdel Nasser’s country of origin reached 72 thousand tonnes.
4.France
France is the 4th biggest producers of meat from Rabbit. Statistically, the production of Rabbit’s Meat from France reached 25 thousand tonnes. in this country, there is The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)that is rabbit native to the Iberian Peninsula (southwestern France) and western France.
5.Russia
Russia is an Eastern European country with the 5th largest rabbit meat production in the world. In 2021, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat), the production of rabbit meat from the Red Bear country reached 25 thousand tons. Even though the production is quite high, this country still imports rabbit meat. In 2021, according to data from Selinwarmucii, Russia still imported 455 tons of rabbit meat from foreign countries because of an imbalance between production and consumption.
6.Ukraine
Ukraine is the next country with the largest rabbit meat production in the world. In 2021, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat), the production of rabbit meat from Ukraine reached 17,600 tons
7.Algeria
Algeria is a country in the African continent with the largest production of rabbit meat. In 2021, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat), the production of rabbit meat from Ukraine reached 8,569 tons.
8.Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is the 8th largest country as the largest rabbit meat producer in the world. In 2021, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat), rabbit meat production from Sierra Leone reached 8,104 tons.
9.Mexico
Mexico is a regional American country that has the 9th largest rabbit meat production in the world. In 2019, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat), the production of rabbit meat from Mexico reached 4,476 tons. In this country, rabbit farming is mostly carried out by small-scale household breeders (Lopez et al., 2010).
10.Rwanda
Rwanda is the 10th biggest producers of Meat from Rabbit. Statistically, the production of Rabbit’s meat from Rwanda reached 3.7 thousand tonnes.
Bibliography 10 Largest Rabbit Meat Producing Countries in the World
FAO. 2020. Production of Meat, rabbit: top 10 producers 2021. Accessed via http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on July 29th, 2022.
Wikipedia. 2021.Rabbit. Accessed via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit on July 30th, 2021
Zoltan, J.B. Karoly, M. Paraszt, I. Privoczki, M. László.2017. Global Rabbit Meat Production with A Special Focus on The Role of China. Lucrari Stiintifice Management Agricol. 19. 31-36.
Global Security. 2021.North Korea Orders State Firms to Raise Rabbits for Public Meat Stocks at Their Expense. Accessed via https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/dprk/2021/dprk-210222-rfa02.htm. On 28 July 28th, 2021
Mostafa, A.R., AImam, Dorina M, Mohamed S, Ayman A, Monica M. 2020. Rabbits Meat Production in Egypt and its Impact on Food Security, Small Holders Income and Economy. Agri Res& Tech 23(5): 556251. DOI:10.19080/ARTOAJ.2020.22.556251
Xicatto, G. 2010. China-Italy ASIC Meeting on Rabbit Science. accessed via http://www.asic-wrsa.it/documenti/meetingChinaItaly/ChinaItalyXiccato.pdf on July 20th, 2021
Selinawarmucii.2020. Russia Rabbit Meat Market Insights. accessed via https://www.selinawamucii.com/insights/market/russia/rabbit-meat/ July 29th, 2021.
Lopez, J.C., Pro-Martinez, A., Becerril P., C. Miguel., Suarez-Oportes, M.E., and J. Pinos-Rodriguez.2010. Technical note: Rabbit meat production under a small-scale production system ASA source of animal protein in a rural area of Mexico. World Rabbit Science. 14. 10.4995