What became of the Easter Bunny?

By The Economist online

Which countries produce and import the most rabbit meat?

WITH Christians preparing to celebrate Easter, children are looking forward to the arrival of the rather more pagan Easter Bunny. But around the world, rabbits have a more prosaic, less chocolatey use. China, currently enjoying the year of the rabbit, is both the largest producer and the largest exporter of rabbit meat, according to figures from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation. Venezuela, the second-biggest producer, tends to keeps its rabbit at home and is not among the top-20 exporters. Germany, the biggest importer, spent over $40m on the meat in 2008. The Easter Hare (the Bunny's forebear), which first appeared in German folklore, would not be impressed.