China is currently the second largest consumer of broiler meat in the world behind the United States. From 2007 to 2008 alone, China's aggregate consumption of chicken increased 5% to 12.0 million metric tons. At these rates, however, per capita chicken consumption is only roughly 33% of developed markets. Due to China's vast population and increasing wealth, the demand for meat, including chicken, will likely continue to increase well into the future.