South Koreans’ meat consumption increases fourfold in 30 years

A shopper takes a look at pork at a retailer. (Korea Times file)

South Koreans’ meat consumption has increased fourfold in 30 years, according to a report released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Monday.

As of 2013, the average Korean eats 117 grams of meat — which includes beef, pork and chicken — in one day, and 42.7 kilograms a year.

Pork was a clear favorite, with an average of 20.9 kilograms a year per person. Samgyupsal, or pork belly, has long been a Korean staple.

The country is eating more meat than ever. In 1990, the average South Korean ate 19.9 kilograms of meat a year; in 1980, 11.3 kilograms.

As meat consumption rises, rice consumption has fallen. While Koreans had, on average, 132.4 kilograms of rice a year, it had shrunk to 67.2 kilograms, or about half, by 2013.

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