Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market: Growth, Self-Sufficiency & New Consumer Trends Shaping 2033

Saudi Arabia is carving a firm position for itself as the beating heart of the GCC’s poultry industry. From being a heavy importer to rapidly shifting toward self-reliant production, the Kingdom has turned poultry into not just a dietary staple, but a strategic economic asset. According to Renub Research, the Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market is expected to reach US$ 5.62 billion by 2033, up from US$ 4.75 billion in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 1.90% from 2025 to 2033.

This steady expansion is driven by urbanization, rising income levels, government food security agendas, halal consumption dominance, and growing appetite for value-based affordable protein choices.

🐓 A Market Backed by Population, Preference & Policy

Poultry has emerged as Saudi Arabia’s most affordable and widely accepted protein source, far surpassing red meat in daily consumption. The demographic story is equally strong—Saudi Arabia’s population continues to rise while rapid urban development has shifted diets toward easily available, hygienic, and packaged food products.

Where poultry wins is its universal cultural acceptance, budget-friendly pricing, convenience, and adaptability to both traditional and Western cuisines. Today, chicken isn’t just dinner—it’s shawarmas, nuggets, deli slices, broasted meals, and protein bowls delivered at the tap of an app.

Crucially, Saudi Arabia is the largest poultry producer in the Middle East, generating 71% of the region’s total poultry output as of 2022. Between 2017 and 2022 alone, poultry meat production surged by 73.85%, proving the success of focused policy shifts and expansion across local farms, feed units, and processing facilities.

A remarkable indicator of progress:

✅ Domestic poultry production rose from 45% in 2016 to 68% by 2022

✅ Chicken mortality rates on farms dropped by 8% over five years

✅ Government subsidies, interest-free loans, and equipment reimbursements have significantly reduced production costs

These advancements signal one undeniable reality—the Kingdom is not merely meeting demand, it is manufacturing resilience.

🛡 Saudi Vision 2030: Food Security Meets Local Manufacturing

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 roadmap is rewriting its food supply playbook. Poultry production has been classified as a strategic priority sector, supported by:

Annual incentives of up to USD 187 million (through MEWA)

100% foreign ownership allowance for poultry farm operations

Restrictions on imports to protect local producers

Mandates on halal certification and quality compliance (SFDA)

As a result, domestic production is expected to increase by 80% by 2025 and reach 100% self-reliance by 2030—a milestone that could redefine regional trade dynamics.

At the enterprise level, global brands are locking in strategic partnerships:

MHP SE (Ukraine) partnered with Tanmiah Food Company to scale local poultry output.

Brazil’s BRF launched a halal-focused joint venture in 2023, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s halal poultry pipeline.

This cycle of investment signals confidence—international players now view the Kingdom as a production hub, not just a consumption market.

🚀 Growth Drivers Powering the Market

1. Government-led Food Security & Local Supply Chain Expansion

Saudi authorities are investing aggressively in farm automation, cold-chain infrastructure, livestock health programs, and production subsidies—giving domestic poultry producers a competitive runway to scale.

2. Halal Compliance as a Market Foundation, Not an Option

Nearly 100% of poultry consumed in Saudi Arabia must meet strict halal slaughter certifications. This reinforces domestic demand loyalty and opens strong export potential to other halal-dependent markets.

3. Retail Expansion + Foodservice Boom

With supermarket giants, hypermarkets, and e-grocery platforms expanding footprints across cities and remote Saudi provinces:

Fresh, chilled, frozen, and processed poultry are more accessible than ever.

Fast food chains, cloud kitchens, and home delivery platforms continue to increase consumption frequency.

Poultry dominates QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) menus, from broasted chicken to sandwiches and value meals.

⚠ Challenges Facing Market Expansion

1. Market Saturation & Price Competition

Local production has scaled so rapidly that competition among domestic producers has intensified. While good for consumers, this has resulted in thinner profit margins for manufacturers. Imported poultry—primarily from Brazil and Europe—remains a risk due to lower production costs overseas.

2. Rising Health-Conscious Consumption

Consumers are increasingly exploring lower-fat meats, hormone-free chicken, organic poultry, and plant-based protein substitutes. Brands are now pressured to innovate in clean label poultry, antibiotic-free production, and high-protein processed formats.

3. Feed Cost Volatility & Rising Retail Prices

Feed grain is still partially dependent on imports, especially from France and Brazil, making costs vulnerable to global price disruptions. This directly impacted consumer prices:

Poultry prices increased 7.84% between 2017–2022

Cost per ton reached USD 3,426 in 2022

1 kg chicken retail price rose from USD 3.8 to USD 4 in 2022

Diesel prices increased 21%, further elevating logistics and production costs

Today, roughly 80% of domestic poultry output is controlled by 10 major companies, with National Company leading at 33% market share, followed by Fakeeh and Almarai.

🧩 Key Market Segments

By Type

Chicken (dominant segment)

Turkey

Duck

Others

By Form

Fresh / Chilled (most consumed)

Frozen

Canned

Processed Poultry, including:

Deli meats

Marinated/Tenders

Meatballs

Nuggets

Sausages

Other ready-to-heat formats

By Distribution

Supermarkets/Hypermarkets (largest share)

Online retail & quick commerce

Convenience stores

Others (specialty meat outlets, bulk suppliers, horeca)

🏢 Key Market Players (Analyzed by: Overview, Key Executives, Recent Developments, Revenue)

Al-Watania Poultry

Almarai Food Company

Almunajem Foods

Americana Group

BRF S.A.

Golden Chicken Farm Factory Co. CJSC

Sunbulah Group

Tanmiah Food Company

The Savola Group

These companies shape supply, control retail availability, and influence pricing through economies of scale, cold chain fleets, and long-term retail contracts.

🌍 What 2033 Will Likely Look Like

By 2033, poultry in Saudi Arabia will be:

✔ Nearly 100% locally produced

✔ Deeply integrated into fast-moving processed food categories

✔ More premium, with organic and antibiotic-free sub-categories

✔ Sold increasingly via digital grocery and Q-commerce channels

✔ A major pillar of national food independence

Beyond food, poultry manufacturing is contributing to:

Employment growth

Domestic agriculture investment

Cold-chain modernization

Logistics expansion

Halal certification leadership

✅ Final Thoughts

Saudi Arabia’s poultry market is thriving because it sits at the intersection of cultural demand, economic strategy, industrial scaling, and consumer behavior shift. The Kingdom is no longer just consuming poultry—it is controlling the value chain.

As the market steadily advances toward US$ 5.62 billion by 2033, the narrative is no longer Can Saudi Arabia produce enough? but rather, How fast can it scale, innovate, and export?