Chicken Meat Market

The global chicken meat market is projected to see a positive trend in the next eight years, with an anticipated increase in volume and value. Consumption peaked in 2022 at 122M tons, with an expected growth to 148M tons by 2030. The market value is forecasted to rise to $381.4B by the end of 2030. The article also delves into production trends, exports, and imports of chicken meat, outlining key players and growth rates from 2012-2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for chicken meat worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 148M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $381.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Chicken Meat

Global chicken meat consumption amounted to 122M tons in 2022, surging by 2.3% against 2021 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

The global chicken meat market value reduced slightly to $263.2B in 2022, approximately reflecting 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 at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $266.3B, and then reduced in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (16M tons), China (15M tons) and Brazil (10M tons), together accounting for 34% of global consumption. Russia, India, Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, Egypt, South Africa, Argentina, Iran and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +10.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($41.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($16.7B). It was followed by Brazil.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China stood at +2.1%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+0.2% per year) and Brazil (+0.4% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of chicken meat per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (48 kg per person), Brazil (47 kg per person) and Argentina (47 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Egypt (with a CAGR of +8.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Chicken Meat

For the eleventh year in a row, the global market recorded growth in production of chicken meat, which increased by 2.7% to 124M tons in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 3.9%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a temperate increase of the number of producing animals and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, chicken meat production dropped slightly to $203.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production enjoyed modest growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 92%. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $356B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (20M tons), Brazil (15M tons) and China (14M tons), together comprising 39% of global production. Russia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt, Turkey, Japan, Argentina, Poland and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +11.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

In 2022, the global average chicken meat yield totaled 1.7 kg per head, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 1.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average chicken meat yield hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Producing Animals

The global number of animals slaughtered for chicken meat production expanded slightly to 75B heads in 2022, growing by 2.2% compared with the previous year's figure. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 4.9%. The global producing animals peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports

World Imports of Chicken Meat

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was decline in overseas purchases of chicken meat, when their volume decreased by -2.4% to 14M tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 5.5%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at 15M tons in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, chicken meat imports surged to $29.6B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (1.3M tons), followed by Mexico (751K tons) and the Netherlands (748K tons) were the largest importers of chicken meat, together achieving 19% of total imports. The following importers - Japan (575K tons), Germany (545K tons), the United Arab Emirates (523K tons), France (505K tons), the UK (456K tons), Iraq (453K tons), the Philippines (434K tons), South Africa (359K tons), Cuba (340K tons) and Angola (309K tons) - together made up 31% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Philippines (with a CAGR of +14.5%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($4.1B) constitutes the largest market for imported chicken meat worldwide, comprising 14% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($1.8B), with a 6% share of global imports. It was followed by France, with a 5.5% share.

In China, chicken meat imports expanded at an average annual rate of +16.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the UK (+3.0% per year) and France (+5.6% per year).

Imports By Type

Frozen cuts of chicken was the largest type of chicken meat in the world, with the volume of imports amounting to 9.2M tons, which was approx. 64% of total imports in 2022. Fresh or chilled cuts of chicken (2.7M tons) took a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by frozen whole chickens (13%). Fresh or chilled whole chickens (425K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports of frozen cuts of chicken increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, fresh or chilled cuts of chicken (+4.8%) and fresh or chilled whole chickens (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, fresh or chilled cuts of chicken emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +4.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, frozen whole chickens (-2.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Fresh or chilled cuts of chicken (+5 p.p.) and frozen cuts of chicken (+2.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while frozen whole chickens saw its share reduced by -7.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, frozen cuts of chicken ($18.1B) constitutes the largest type of chicken meat imported worldwide, comprising 61% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by fresh or chilled cuts of chicken ($7.2B), with a 24% share of global imports. It was followed by frozen whole chickens, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of frozen cuts of chicken imports totaled +3.9%. With regard to the other imported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: fresh or chilled cuts of chicken (+6.1% per year) and frozen whole chickens (-3.7% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average chicken meat import price stood at $2,061 per ton in 2022, rising by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was fresh or chilled whole chickens ($2,721 per ton), while the price for frozen whole chickens ($1,626 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by frozen chicken cut (+1.8%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average chicken meat import price amounted to $2,061 per ton, increasing by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($3,875 per ton), while South Africa ($707 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Chicken Meat

In 2022, the amount of chicken meat exported worldwide reached 16M tons, approximately equating the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 6.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, chicken meat exports surged to $31.9B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

Brazil (4.4M tons) and the United States (3.7M tons) represented roughly 50% of total exports in 2022. Poland (1.3M tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by the Netherlands (1.3M tons). All these countries together held near 16% share of total exports. Turkey (665K tons), Belgium (464K tons), Ukraine (413K tons), Germany (380K tons), Thailand (357K tons), France (282K tons) and the UK (244K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Ukraine (with a CAGR of +17.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($8.7B), the United States ($5B) and Poland ($3.4B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 54% share of global exports. The Netherlands, Thailand, Belgium, Turkey, Ukraine, Germany, France and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +19.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Frozen cuts of chicken represented the main type of chicken meat in the world, with the volume of exports amounting to 10M tons, which was near 64% of total exports in 2022. Fresh or chilled cuts of chicken (3.2M tons) held a 20% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by frozen whole chickens (13%). Fresh or chilled whole chickens (473K tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to frozen cuts of chicken exports of stood at +2.1%. At the same time, fresh or chilled cuts of chicken (+5.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, fresh or chilled cuts of chicken emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +5.7% from 2012-2022. Fresh or chilled whole chickens experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, frozen whole chickens (-1.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of fresh or chilled cuts of chicken increased by +5.7 percentage points. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, frozen cuts of chicken ($18.8B) remains the largest type of chicken meat supplied worldwide, comprising 59% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by fresh or chilled cuts of chicken ($8B), with a 25% share of global exports. It was followed by frozen whole chickens, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of frozen cuts of chicken exports stood at +3.5%. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: fresh or chilled cuts of chicken (+6.8% per year) and frozen whole chickens (-1.2% per year).

Export Prices By Type

The average chicken meat export price stood at $1,975 per ton in 2022, increasing by 18% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exported products. In 2022, major exported products recorded the following prices: in fresh or chilled whole chickens ($2,642 per ton) and fresh or chilled cuts of chicken ($2,511 per ton), while the average price for exports of frozen cuts of chicken ($1,810 per ton) and frozen whole chickens ($1,816 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by frozen chicken cut (+1.4%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average chicken meat export price stood at $1,975 per ton in 2022, jumping by 18% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($3,167 per ton), while the UK ($1,059 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+4.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform