10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries
10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries
10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries rabbits are mammals from the Leporidae family
that have a positively beneficial role. Commonly, its animal is one of favorite
ones. Sometimes, the appearance of animals is very funny and cute. Besides 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 vivipation. 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, several 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
enormous potential to diversify the supply of animal protein sources for human
consumption besides beef, pork, or chicken meats. Until 2024, based on data
from the FAO Statistical Database, the total production of rabbit meat
worldwide in that year reached 847 thousand tons. This figure is slightly
higher than the production data in 1961 of 397 thousand tons, but the potential
is still quite large in the future. Statistically, there are the 10 largest
rabbit meat producing countries in the world based on data from the FAO
Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026.
The World’s Production of Rabbit’s Meat From 1961 to 2024
|
Years |
World's
Production of Rabbit's Meat |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
1961 |
397,062 |
|
1962 |
395,076 |
|
1963 |
402,421 |
|
1964 |
403,875 |
|
1965 |
409,203 |
|
1966 |
421,680 |
|
1967 |
435,737 |
|
1968 |
457,018 |
|
1969 |
477,630 |
|
1970 |
490,649 |
|
1971 |
537,663 |
|
1972 |
571,686 |
|
1973 |
597,025 |
|
1974 |
638,298 |
|
1975 |
665,510 |
|
1976 |
686,787 |
|
1977 |
707,210 |
|
1978 |
737,430 |
|
1979 |
740,730 |
|
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 |
594,761 |
|
1992 |
625,311 |
|
1993 |
652,180 |
|
1994 |
675,140 |
|
1995 |
705,440 |
|
1996 |
769,948 |
|
1997 |
734,973 |
|
1998 |
760,044 |
|
1999 |
752,665 |
|
2000 |
846,132 |
|
2001 |
924,101 |
|
2002 |
946,911 |
|
2003 |
947,331 |
|
2004 |
943,227 |
|
2005 |
987,333 |
|
2006 |
1,021,578 |
|
2007 |
1,092,147 |
|
2008 |
1,065,185 |
|
2009 |
1,112,161 |
|
2010 |
1,174,168 |
|
2011 |
1,239,169 |
|
2012 |
1,237,585 |
|
2013 |
1,278,312 |
|
2014 |
1,299,761 |
|
2015 |
1,283,370 |
|
2016 |
1,121,145 |
|
2017 |
954,368 |
|
2018 |
915,872 |
|
2019 |
927,336 |
|
2020 |
912,405 |
|
2021 |
850,183 |
|
2022 |
873,139 |
|
2023 |
865,930 |
|
2024 |
847,221 |
|
Source:
FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Specifically, based on the continental regions, the production
regions of rabbit meat can be found in the several regions. The main regions
are in Asia and Europe.
Asia produced 606 thousand tons and Europe generated 134 thousand tons.
Meanwhile Africa produced 91 thousand tons and America with 15 thousand tons.
The World’s Production of Rabbit’s Meat Based on Continent in 2024
|
Continental Region |
Production
of Rabbit's Meat in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
91,262 |
|
Americas |
14,987 |
|
Asia |
606,046 |
|
Europe |
134,926 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
The Rank of the 10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries Based on Data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2024
|
Ranks |
Countries |
Production
of Meat from Rabbit in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
China, mainland |
445,128 |
|
2 |
Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
156,672 |
|
3 |
Egypt |
51,480 |
|
4 |
Spain |
33,927 |
|
5 |
France |
21,365 |
|
6 |
Russian Federation |
17,593 |
|
7 |
Benin |
14,850 |
|
8 |
Algeria |
8,158 |
|
9 |
Ukraine |
8,000 |
|
10 |
Sierra Leone |
7,981 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries
1.China
Statistically, in 2024, according to the FAO
Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), the production of rabbit’s meat from this
panda country reached 445,128 tons. With this production, China still
became the world’s largest rabbit meat-producing country and contributed roughly 60% of the
global market share of rabbit meat. 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, usually has a destination market to several countries in Europe. In
terms of culinary aspects in China, Rabbit meat in China is the ingredients in
some Chinese dishes including Spicy Rabbit Heads (Málà Tù Tóu), old-Dressed
Rabbit Cubes (Èrjiě Tùdīng), Orange Peel Rabbit (Chénpí Tùdīng).
Culturally, many Chinese people around Sichuan Basin and Chongqing area are
favorable on consuming rabbit's meat and it is responsible for an estimated 70% of China's total rabbit meat consumption.
2.North Korea
In 2024, North Korea still became the 2nd world’s largest country
producer of rabbit meat. In this country, rabbit meat is extremely 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 2024, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database
(FAOSTAT), the production of rabbit meat from Kim Jong-Un’s home country reached
156,672 tons.
3.Egypt
Egypt is a country in Africa that has become the
3rd world’s largest country producer of rabbit meat in 2024. 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,
specifically raising a small population of rabbits (less than 50) in backyard, simple
battery cages, or even rooms inside their homes (Mostafa et al., 2020).
Statistically, based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in
2026, the production of rabbit meat from Gamal Abdel Nasser’s country reached
51,480 tons. Geographically, the main region of rabbit farming can be found
mostly in Lower Egypt (the northern part of the country, particularly the Nile
Delta region like El-Sharkia and El-Gharbia). Culturally, in the culinary
aspects, one of the dishes in Egypt which is made up from rabbit meat is Molokhia with Rabbit (Mulukhiyah bil Arnab).
4. Spain
Spain is currently the leading producer and
consumer of rabbit meat in the European Union and as of 2024, operating roughly
1,400 active rabbit fattening farms. Statistically, according to the FAO Statistical Corporate
Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026, the production of rabbit meat from Spain
reached 33,927 tons in 2024. Culturally, in terms of
culinary aspects, rabbit meat is the ingredient
of some Spanish dishes including Conejo al ajillo and Conejo en
salmorejo. Unfortunately, many younger generations in Spain are eating far
less rabbit than their parents, shifting their preferences toward more
universally common poultry or premium domestic meats like Iberian pork.
5.France
France is the 5th world’s biggest
country producer of rabbit’s meat in 2024. Statistically, according to the FAO Statistical Corporate
Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026, the production of rabbit meat from France reached 21,365 tons in 2024. Furthermore, in
this country, there is The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that
is rabbit native to the Iberian Peninsula (southwestern France) and western
France. Geographically, in France, the rabbit meat production area in France
can be found in the western regions of France and one of the major companies in
this industry is the Loeul & Piriot Group. In terms of culinary aspects,
some dishes made up of rabbit meat are Lapin à la Moutarde, Lapin aux
Pruneaux, and Civet de Lapin / Lapin Chasseur.
6.Russia
Russia is the 6th world’s largest
country producer of rabbit meat in 2024. In that year, based on data from the
FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), the production of rabbit meat from the “Red
Bear” country reached 17,593 tons. Even though the production is quite high, this
country still imports rabbit meat. In 2024, according to data from
Selinwarmucii, Russia still imported 455 tons of rabbit meat from foreign
countries because of an imbalance between production and consumption.
Culturally, around 80% of rabbit meat output was produced on small, private
household plots and it is positioned as a premium, niche product, more
expensive than poultry meat.
7. Benin
According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in
2026, the production of rabbit meat from Benin reached 14,850 tons. Geographically, the industry of cuniculture (rabbit
farming) is highly concentrated in the southern regions including the Ouémé,
Plateau, and Atlantique departments. In Benin, rabbit farming is incredibly popular among urban and peri-urban people.
As of now, current agricultural Benin indicates
that domestic production of rabbit meat only satisfies about 50% of the
national domestic consumption.
8. Algeria
Algeria still became one of the world’s largest
country producers of rabbit meat. In 2024, based on data from the FAO
Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), the production of rabbit meat from Ukraine
reached 8,158 tons. In this country, the rabbit industry is heavily dominated
by small-scale, extensive units and most of
the farms usually have a small population, often
around 4 to 8. Basically, the average consumption of rabbit meat in Algeria is
relatively low which is around 0.86 kg per person annually,
9.Ukraine
Ukraine is the next country with the largest
rabbit meat production in the world. In 2024, based on data from the FAO
Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), the production of rabbit meat from Ukraine
reached 8,000 tons. In terms of social perspective, the rabbit meat in Ukraine
is viewed as a premium, health-focused protein. Structurally, around 97% of
rabbit meat in Ukraine is produced by private households and smallholders. In
this country, there are state-of-the-art agricultural complexes like
"Krolikoff" in the Cherkasy region that are leading a modernization
project in rabbit raising and production.
10.Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is the 10th world’s
largest country producer of rabbit meat. In 2024, based on data from the FAO
Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) of 2026, the total rabbit meat production from
Sierra Leone reached 7,981 tons. Commonly, rabbits farming in Sierra Leone are
primarily raised on a "low-input" system in which the feed usually comes from local greens, grasses, sweet potato vines, and
agricultural by-products. Structurally, in Sierra Leone, rabbit farming is still dominated by smallholders and backyard farmers.
The Table Rank of 10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries in 2024
The Histogram Rank of 10 World’s Largest Rabbit Meat-Producing Countries in 2024
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