The global rabbit meat market revenue amounted to $6.4B in 2017, picking up by 12% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).
The market value increased an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2007 to 2017; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global rabbit meat consumption peaked in 2017, and is expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.
According to the market research firm IndexBox, the amount of rabbit or hare meat consumed worldwide totaled 1.5M tonnes (2017), picking up by 2.9% against the previous year. The total consumption volume increased an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2007 to 2017; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review.
Consumption by Country
The country with the largest volume of rabbit meat consumption was China (925K tonnes), comprising approx. 62% of the total consumption. Moreover, rabbit meat consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the world's second-largest consumer, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (154K tonnes), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Egypt (57K tonnes), with a 3.8% share.
In China, rabbit meat consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the period from 2007-2017. In other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (+3.3% per year) and Egypt (+0.8% per year).
Market Forecast to 2025
Driven by increasing demand for rabbit meat worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the eight-year period from 2017 to 2025, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.8M tonnes by the end of 2025.
Global Production by Country
In 2017, the amount of rabbit or hare meat produced worldwide stood at 1.5M tonnes, going up by 2.9% against the previous year. The total output volume increased an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2007 to 2017; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011 when it surged by 5.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global rabbit meat production reached its peak figure volume in 2017 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future. The generally positive trend in terms of rabbit meat output was largely conditioned by a moderate increase in the number of producing animals and slight growth in yield figures.
The country with the largest volume of rabbit meat production was China (932K tonnes), accounting for 63% of total production. Moreover, rabbit meat production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the world's second largest producer, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (154K tonnes), sixfold. Spain (57K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a 3.9% share.
From 2007 to 2017, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China amounted to +4.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (+3.3% per year) and Spain (-2.6% per year).
Imports from 2007–2017
In 2017, the amount of rabbit or hare meat imported worldwide stood at 36K tonnes, lowering by -1.8% against the previous year. In general, rabbit meat imports continue to indicate a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014, with an increase of 7.1% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the global rabbit meat imports reached its peak figure volume of 43K tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2017, it failed to regain its momentum.
Germany (6.4K tonnes) and Belgium (5.3K tonnes) were the major importers of rabbit or hare meat in 2017, accounting for near 18% and 15% of total imports, respectively. France (3.2K tonnes) occupied an 8.7% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in the second place, followed by Italy (8.5%) and Portugal (7.6%). Russia (1.6K tonnes), Spain (1.4K tonnes), the Czech Republic (1.4K tonnes), Switzerland (1.1K tonnes), the U.S. (1.1K tonnes) and the Netherlands (1.1K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Egypt (+20.0% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more moderate paces of growth.
