Gdoc/Admin
Data InsightsRicher countries often use much of their crops for animal feed and biofuels
March 25, 2024Hannah Ritchie

Richer countries often use much of their crops for animal feed and biofuels

Scatterplot showing the relationship between GDP per person, and the share of cereals allocated to human food. This share is higher in countries at lower incomes.

Richer countries tend to use less of their crops for human food, and more for animal feed and biofuels. This is what the chart shows: in several countries, less than a quarter of cereals are used for direct consumption as human food.

In poorer countries, supplies are tighter and they can’t afford the inefficiency. Most crop production goes directly to human consumption.

Explore this data