Global Chicken Market Trends & Summary

The global Chicken/Poultry Meat Market is entering a new era of expansion, driven by shifting consumer habits, rapid urbanization, affordability factors, and technological breakthroughs in poultry farming. According to Renub Research, the Chicken/Poultry Meat market is projected to grow from US$ 160.62 billion in 2024 to US$ 268.35 billion by 2033, registering a solid CAGR of 5.87% between 2025 and 2033. As more consumers around the world lean toward high-protein, economical, and versatile meat options, poultry continues to outpace other animal proteins such as beef and pork.

The comprehensive Global Chicken/Poultry Meat Report also highlights the changing dynamics across production, consumption, import–export patterns, and major country-level developments spanning the United States, Brazil, China, the European Union, India, and emerging markets across Africa and Southeast Asia.

A Global Industry Built on Affordability, Nutrition, and Convenience

The chicken and poultry meat industries are now among the largest and fastest-growing segments of the global food and protein sector. What makes chicken so dominant is its blend of affordability, adaptability, and nutritional value.

Poultry—especially chicken—is widely recognized for being leaner, lower in fat, and lower in cholesterol than red meats. As a result, it has become the preferred choice for health-conscious consumers and families looking for cost-effective protein alternatives.

The modern lifestyle is also shaping the market in remarkable ways. The rise of:

Ready-to-eat meals

Frozen and processed chicken products (nuggets, patties, sausages)

Fast food and QSR chains

Convenience-based cooking trends

has created unprecedented demand for chicken across urban centers.

How Technology Is Modernizing Poultry Production

Technology is at the core of the poultry industry’s success story. Innovations in:

Precision breeding

Disease control systems

High-efficiency feeding regimes

Sustainable farming techniques

have significantly boosted productivity and reduced operational costs. Improved hatcheries, ventilation systems, AI-based farm monitoring, and automated processing lines now enable producers to meet rising global demand with greater efficiency.

Supply chain modernization—cold storage networks, logistics upgrades, and integrated foodservice distribution—has also reshaped the way chicken reaches consumers.

But this progress comes with challenges.

Global Policy, Investments, and the New Poultry Landscape

Government incentives and national food security goals are influencing market direction around the world.

A notable example is Ghana, which announced a USD 541 million investment in 2023 to modernize its domestic poultry sector. Similar initiatives are underway in Asia, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East to reduce dependency on imports and strengthen domestic supply chains.

These programs focus on:

Modernizing poultry farms

Upgrading biosecurity

Scaling production systems

Expanding local processing capacity

Such transformation efforts are expected to shape regional competitiveness and long-term market sustainability.

Recent Global Trends Shaping the Chicken Meat Market

1. Global Population Growth Driving Protein Demand

Human population growth remains one of the biggest demand drivers.

The global population reached 8.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to climb to 9.7 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations. Feeding billions affordably is placing poultry at the center of global nutrition planning.

2. Poultry is Now the World's Favorite Meat

In just a century, chicken has overtaken beef and pork to become the most consumed meat worldwide.

According to OECD-FAO, 74 billion chickens were raised and slaughtered in 2023—and that number is expected to reach 85 billion by 2032, reflecting a 15% increase.

This shift has long-term implications for:

Climate sustainability

Animal welfare

Agricultural economies

3. Poultry Meat Production Rising Steadily

OECD-FAO forecasts show that world poultry meat production exceeded 139 million metric tons in 2023, growing nearly 3% year-on-year. Poultry remains the fastest-growing meat category, outpacing pork, beef, and lamb.

4. Asia-Pacific: The Powerhouse of Consumption Growth

Asia-Pacific is leading the rise in global consumption:

Disposable incomes will more than double between 2021 and 2040.

The region will account for half of global consumption growth in the next decade.

The IMF projects Asia-Pacific’s economic growth at 3.9% in 2022 and 4.6% in 2023, supporting demand for protein-rich foods.

5. Lab-Grown Chicken Enters the Market

A historic milestone occurred in July 2023, when the USDA approved lab-grown chicken from Upside Foods and GOOD Meat. This innovative “cultivated chicken” marks the beginning of a new food supply model, one that may reshape long-term sustainability and ethical meat production.

6. Japan’s Steady Surge in Meat Consumption

Japan spent an average of ¥72,800 on meat per person in 2023. Meat consumption is expected to increase at 0.7% annually from 2024–2028, driven by higher wages and economic recovery.

Growth Drivers Propelling the Global Chicken Market

1. Rising Global Population

A larger population naturally increases demand for affordable protein. Chicken—cheaper and easier to produce than beef or pork—has become the go-to protein source, especially in developing nations.

2. Health-Conscious Consumers Choosing Leaner Meats

With rising awareness of:

Heart disease

Obesity

High cholesterol

consumers are moving away from red meat. Chicken, with its lean profile, meets modern health and dietary preferences.

3. Urbanization and Higher Disposable Income

Urban lifestyles encourage consumption of:

Frozen chicken

Ready-to-eat items

Processed poultry foods

Fast-food meals

As disposable incomes rise, consumers spend more on premium cuts, organic chicken, and flavored poultry-based products.

Challenges Slowing Down the Poultry Industry

1. Volatility in Feed Prices

Feed accounts for 60–70% of poultry production cost. Grain price fluctuations—particularly corn and soybeans—due to weather events, trade policies, and supply chain disruptions directly affect industry profitability.

2. Disease Outbreaks

Bird flu (avian influenza) and Newcastle disease continue to threaten global poultry supply.

Outbreaks lead to:

Mass culling

Price volatility

Export bans

Loss of consumer confidence

Increased compliance and biosecurity costs

This remains one of the most persistent threats to the global chicken market.

Country-Level Market Highlights

United States

The U.S. remains a global leader due to:

High domestic consumption

Strong fast-food sector

Efficiency in poultry farming

Broad adoption of processed chicken products

However, disease outbreaks and animal welfare concerns continue to pose challenges.

United Kingdom

The UK market benefits from:

Strong demand for healthy protein sources

High adoption of convenience foods

Rising preference for free-range and organic chicken

Concerns around production costs and feed price inflation remain.

Japan

Chicken consumption is rising due to:

Affordability

Versatility in Japanese cuisine

Popularity of convenience foods like karaage

Growth of fast-food chains

However, supply chain disruptions and feed cost inflation are impacting producers.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s demand is growing rapidly due to:

A young population

High meat consumption culture

Strong demand for halal-certified poultry

Rising popularity of frozen and processed chicken

Import dependency and rising feed prices remain important challenges.

India

India is one of the fastest-growing poultry markets in the world.

Key indicators include:

3.06 billion chickens slaughtered in 2021–22, accounting for 51.44% of India’s total meat output

Rising urban consumption of protein foods

Growing fast-food culture (KFC, McDonald’s, local QSR chains)

Increase in spending on processed foods (10.5% in FY 2023)

Rising preference for eggs, chicken, and fish due to health awareness

With dietary habits shifting rapidly, India will remain a major growth engine for the global poultry market.

Key Developments in the Global Chicken Meat Market

Feb 2023 – Stampede Meat, Inc. partnered with DL Lee & Sons to expand production in the U.S. Southeast.

Aug 2023 – DCP Capital acquired Cargill’s Chinese poultry business, supported by Paul, Weiss.

Nov 2023 – Tyson Foods expanded operations in the Netherlands, China, and Thailand, adding capacity for 100,000 tonnes of fully cooked poultry and creating hundreds of jobs.

Mar 2023 – Kraft Heinz strengthened its partnership with BEES to grow its Latin American B2B network, aiming to add one million new points of sale.

Final Thoughts

The global chicken market is evolving faster than ever. With population growth, health-driven diets, and affordability driving demand—paired with rapid advancements in farming technology—the industry is set to maintain strong momentum through 2033.

Yet volatility in feed prices, disease outbreaks, supply chain pressures, and new ethical considerations around sustainability will shape how companies operate in the coming decade.

As poultry continues to dominate global protein consumption, producers, policymakers, and investors must focus on building a resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced poultry system to meet surging global demand.