The line graph illustrates changes in the annual per capita consumption of four different types of meat and poultry in the United States between 1955 and 2012.
Overall, the consumption of broilers saw a consistent and substantial increase over the period, whereas beef consumption, despite being the most popular meat for several decades, witnessed a downward trend from the late 1970s onwards. Pork and turkey consumption remained relatively stable throughout the timeframe.
In 1955, beef was the most consumed meat at 58 pounds per person, while pork consumption stood at 52 pounds. Beef consumption climbed to a peak of 90 pounds in 1979 before declining steadily to 55 pounds by 2012. Conversely, broiler consumption, which began at 15 pounds in 1961, grew consistently to reach 60 pounds by 2006, briefly overtaking beef as the primary meat source.
Pork consumption fluctuated between 42 and 52 pounds throughout the period, ending at 45 pounds in 2012. Turkey remained the least consumed meat, starting at 5 pounds in 1955 and peaking at 15 pounds in the late 1980s and 2000s, before finishing at 12 pounds in 2012.