Apparent consumption of both meats increased during the last 12 months, with rises of 9% for chicken and 8% for pork. The variety of cuts and formats, their ease of preparation, and their nutritional characteristics help explain their presence on different consumption occasions.
Chicken and pork are staples on Chilean tables and have adapted to new cooking methods and meal preparations. While some dishes maintain their connection to traditional cuisine, the variety of cuts and formats available allows them to be incorporated into quicker and simpler options, in line with current eating habits.
This presence is also reflected in the figures. During the 12-month period between July 2025 and June 2026, apparent consumption of both meats increased in Chile, consolidating their share in household diets.
In the case of chicken, apparent consumption reached 737,000 tons, equivalent to 36.7 kilos per capita. This represents a 9% increase compared to the previous period and positions chicken as the most consumed meat in the country, accounting for 43% of total apparent meat consumption. Pork, meanwhile, reached 459,000 tons, equivalent to 22.8 kilos per capita, registering an 8% increase.
This growth is occurring in a context where food choices are driven not only by preferences but also by the need for practical meal solutions and readily available options that can be adapted to different preparation methods. In this scenario, chicken and pork offer a wide variety of cuts and formats, allowing them to be used in both traditional recipes and dishes that require less preparation time.
From traditional cooking to new ways of preparing meals
The diversity of available options has also broadened consumption possibilities. Breasts, drumsticks, loins, chops, and other cuts allow you to choose according to the type of preparation, the time available, or the preferences of each household, while the different formats make it easy to incorporate into everyday meals. Thus, the same protein can be present in both a home-cooked dish and simpler preparations for a weekday meal.
This adaptability is especially important in homes where routines are increasingly dynamic. Meal planning coexists with last-minute decisions and the search for quick and easy ways to cook without sacrificing flavor. In this context, the availability of different cuts and presentations helps ensure that chicken and pork remain a staple in many diets.
In addition, consumers are increasingly interested in understanding the nutritional value of the foods they regularly include in their diets. In this regard, both chicken and pork stand out for their protein and essential nutrient content, and they also offer cuts that can be incorporated into a varied and balanced diet.
“Nutritionally speaking, both meats provide high-biological-value proteins, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, zinc, phosphorus, and selenium. Furthermore, they offer lean cuts that, in appropriate portions and with healthy preparations, can be part of a varied and balanced diet,” says Isidora Pierattini, nutritionist at Agrosuper.
According to the expert, part of the explanation for their growing popularity lies precisely in their adaptability to different eating styles and times of day. “The increase in chicken and pork consumption can be attributed to the fact that they are accessible, versatile, and easy-to-prepare proteins. Their variety of cuts and formats allows them to be incorporated into both traditional recipes and quick meals, responding to the demand for convenience, flavor, and good value.”
Thus, the increase recorded over the last 12 months reflects a presence that goes beyond a specific preparation. Chicken and pork are part of a diet that combines deeply rooted customs with new cooking methods, where variety, practicality, and nutritional value are becoming increasingly important when choosing what to put on the table.
