More chickens are killed for meat than any other animal in Nigeria

Key takeways

In 2023, over 324 million chickens were slaughtered in Nigeria, making them the dominant source of meat.
Goats and sheep followed at 28.23 million and 19.45 million, respectively, but their slaughter numbers were far lower than poultry.
Pigs accounted for 8.11 million slaughters, while cows were the least slaughtered at 3.32 million, likely due to their higher economic value.
The disparity in slaughter numbers highlights Nigeria's preference for poultry over red meat, aligning with global trends in cost-effective protein consumption.

Nigeria’s meat industry remains heavily skewed towards poultry, with 324.24 million chickens slaughtered in 2023, significantly outpacing other livestock. Goats and sheep, the next most slaughtered animals, were processed in far lower numbers at 28.23 million and 19.45 million, respectively. The relatively lower slaughter rates for pigs (8.11 million) and cows (3.32 million) reflect cultural preferences, pricing, and economic factors.

Source:

Food and Agriculture Organization

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Period:

2023

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