Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Market Size, Trends

Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Market Overview

The Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Market size was valued at USD 2984.75 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3827.59 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2025 to 2033.

The global boneless cut chicken meat market is witnessing a significant rise in demand due to the convenience, versatility, and health appeal of boneless poultry products.

In 2023, global chicken meat production exceeded 102 million metric tons, with boneless cuts accounting for over 35% of this volume. The U.S. alone produced more than 20.2 million metric tons of broiler chicken, with nearly 50% processed into boneless portions. In Brazil, boneless chicken exports surpassed 4 million metric tons in 2023, highlighting the growing international trade of processed poultry products.

Urbanization, increasing fast food consumption, and a shift toward protein-rich diets have propelled consumption patterns, particularly in Asia-Pacific where per capita chicken consumption exceeded 30 kg in urban regions of China and India. The use of automated deboning technology in processing plants has also boosted efficiency, enabling processors to debone up to 8,000 birds per hour.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Increased demand for convenient and protein-rich food products.

COUNTRY/REGION: United States due to high production volumes and domestic consumption.

SEGMENT: Chicken Breast, as it represents the most consumed boneless part globally.

Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Market Trends

The boneless cut chicken meat market is influenced by evolving dietary preferences, economic poultry pricing, and the widespread adoption of processed meat products. In 2023, over 52% of poultry consumed globally was in the form of boneless cuts, reflecting a shift from whole birds to value-added products. The trend is particularly notable in the U.S., where retail data from 2023 showed that boneless skinless chicken breast accounted for nearly 47% of chicken meat sales. In the European Union, pre-packaged boneless cuts comprised over 65% of retail poultry offerings in supermarkets. Fast-food chains and quick service restaurants have also fueled demand for boneless meat, with over 85% of chicken items on global QSR menus being boneless. In India, the rise of food delivery platforms has contributed to a 28% year-on-year increase in processed boneless chicken consumption. Additionally, boneless chicken is central to meal kits and frozen ready-to-cook foods, which saw a 22% global rise in market share from 2022 to 2023. Technology in processing has advanced, with new deboning systems reducing yield loss by up to 12%, increasing profitability. Sustainability trends are also influencing packaging, with over 40% of boneless products in Europe now using recyclable materials. The market is also adapting to consumer preferences for antibiotic-free and organic options, which constituted 15% of boneless meat offerings in North America in 2023. With health consciousness on the rise, lean meat like chicken breast remains in demand, contributing to the growth of boneless cuts over bone-in options.

Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Market Dynamics

The dynamics of the boneless cut chicken meat market are shaped by a complex interplay of factors influencing both demand and supply. Key market drivers include the rising consumer preference for lean, protein-rich, and easy-to-prepare foods, especially among health-conscious and urban populations. The growing prevalence of dual-income households and busy lifestyles further bolsters demand for boneless poultry options.

DRIVER

Rising demand for protein-rich, convenient food options.

Global protein intake patterns have shifted towards lean meats, and boneless chicken has become a staple due to its accessibility and low fat content. In 2023, the average global per capita poultry consumption reached 15.3 kg, with boneless meat comprising over 50% of this figure. The rise of dual-income households has also played a significant role, as consumers favor time-saving, easy-to-cook meats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recorded a 7% increase in retail sales of boneless chicken in 2023 alone. Health-conscious populations are choosing chicken over red meat, leading to a surge in demand for boneless options, which are easier to incorporate into diverse diets, including ketogenic and low-carb meal plans.

RESTRAINT

Limited shelf life and logistical challenges.

Despite its popularity, boneless chicken meat has a limited shelf life of 5–7 days under refrigeration and up to 12 months when frozen. This necessitates robust cold chain infrastructure, which is lacking in many developing nations. In 2023, an estimated 18% of processed chicken in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia was lost due to inadequate cold storage. Additionally, the perishable nature of boneless chicken meat makes long-distance trade and inventory management challenging, particularly for smaller retailers and exporters. Rising energy costs for maintaining cold chains further strain profitability. Packaging innovations have helped, but the global infrastructure disparity remains a restraint on market expansion.

OPPORTUNITY

Rising demand in emerging economies.

Emerging economies are presenting massive opportunities for boneless chicken meat, with Asia-Pacific witnessing a 12% annual growth in consumption over the past two years. In countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, boneless chicken imports increased by 18% and 21% respectively in 2023. Middle-class growth in these regions, paired with urbanization and Western food habits, is creating a surge in quick-service restaurant chains that rely on boneless cuts. In Africa, domestic poultry industries are investing in deboning machinery to meet the growing demand, with Nigeria’s processed poultry sector expanding production capacity by 27% in 2023. These trends highlight untapped markets with increasing purchasing power and evolving food preferences.

CHALLENGE

Biosecurity risks and disease outbreaks.

Disease outbreaks remain a significant threat to the boneless cut chicken meat market. In 2023, Avian Influenza outbreaks in Europe and Asia led to the culling of over 140 million birds globally, disrupting supply chains and causing a 14% drop in chicken meat availability in some regions. Countries like Japan, which rely heavily on imports, faced shortages of boneless chicken supplies, resulting in price increases of up to 22%. These events affect not only production but also consumer confidence and export-import agreements. Regulatory controls, vaccination programs, and enhanced farm hygiene are being enforced, but biosecurity remains an ongoing challenge for ensuring consistent, disease-free boneless meat supply.

Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Market Segmentation

The boneless cut chicken meat market is segmented by type and application. By type, it includes Chicken Breast, Chicken Thigh, and Others. By application, it covers Food Service and Retail sectors.

By Type

Chicken Breast: This remains the most demanded boneless part globally, with over 12 million metric tons consumed in 2023. Its low fat and high protein content—31 grams of protein per 100 grams—makes it ideal for health-conscious consumers. In the U.S., it represented 54% of all boneless chicken meat sales in grocery chains. Meal kit providers and sports nutrition markets prefer chicken breast for its versatility and lean profile.
Chicken Thigh: Chicken thighs are popular due to their juicier texture and cost-effectiveness. In 2023, approximately 8.6 million metric tons of boneless chicken thighs were sold globally. Asian markets, especially South Korea and China, accounted for over 60% of global thigh consumption, driven by demand in fast-food items and grilled dishes. Thighs also maintain better texture in frozen formats, enhancing their utility in foodservice operations.
Others: This includes boneless wings, drumsticks, and tenderloins. In 2023, these accounted for 7.4 million metric tons of total boneless chicken consumption. Products like boneless wings have gained popularity in North American sports bars and casual dining, where demand grew by 15% over the past year. Tenderloins are preferred for skewers and quick-serve meals across Europe.

By Application

Food Service: The food service sector is the largest consumer of boneless chicken meat, utilizing over 28 million metric tons in 2023. Quick-service restaurants (QSRs), hotels, and cafeterias prefer boneless cuts for ease of portioning and standardized cooking. Over 90% of chicken-based fast food items globally use boneless meat. Chain restaurants in Asia-Pacific alone increased boneless chicken procurement by 19% in 2023.
Retail: Retail consumption of boneless chicken reached 21 million metric tons in 2023, with increasing demand for vacuum-sealed, pre-marinated, and frozen options. North American and European supermarkets have seen a 24% rise in demand for individually packed chicken breasts, with private label products comprising 37% of the market.

Regional Outlook for the Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Market

The global boneless chicken meat market demonstrates diverse regional dynamics based on consumption habits, production, and export capacity.

North America

North America continues to lead the market, with the U.S. producing over 20.2 million metric tons of chicken meat in 2023. Over 75% of chicken sold in U.S. supermarkets was boneless, and Canada imported 110,000 metric tons of boneless chicken meat.

Europe

Europe witnessed strong demand in 2023, with over 13.2 million metric tons of chicken meat consumed. Germany and the U.K. lead the region in boneless meat consumption, representing 38% and 27% respectively of Europe’s total. The EU increased boneless meat exports to Asia by 8%.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is a growing hub, with China consuming more than 16.5 million metric tons of chicken meat, and India experiencing a 15% increase in boneless meat demand year-over-year. Japan and South Korea rely heavily on imports of boneless cuts for food service use.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa showed upward trends with boneless chicken meat consumption reaching 4.8 million metric tons in 2023. Saudi Arabia and the UAE alone accounted for 62% of this demand, driven by QSR growth. Nigeria increased domestic production of boneless poultry by 27%.

List of Top Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Companies

Tyson Foods
JBS Foods
Cargill
BRF S.A.
Mountaire Farms
New Hope Liuhe
Sunner Development
Koch Foods
Foster Farms
Perdue Farms

Tyson Foods: In 2023, processed over 19 billion pounds of chicken, with boneless cuts comprising 58% of their output.

JBS Foods: Brazil-based giant processed 14.7 million metric tons of chicken globally in 2023, with 61% boneless production share.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the boneless chicken meat market have intensified due to robust global consumption and food service sector growth. In 2023, over $5.2 billion was invested in poultry processing facilities worldwide. The U.S. alone saw 14 new processing plants come online, increasing boneless output capacity by 9%. Investment in deboning automation surged, with companies deploying AI-powered machines that reduce labor costs by 26% while increasing processing speed. Asia-Pacific is also a focal region, with Chinese poultry firms investing $1.3 billion in 2023 to scale up boneless meat production. In India, subsidies and government initiatives led to $460 million in poultry infrastructure development, emphasizing cold chain logistics and retail packaging of boneless cuts. Brazil expanded its export-oriented boneless processing facilities, targeting Middle Eastern markets. The trend toward antibiotic-free and organic poultry has opened new investment avenues. In 2023, over $650 million globally was directed toward organic boneless poultry supply chains. Investors are also focusing on eco-friendly packaging, with $220 million allocated to biodegradable and recyclable boneless chicken meat trays and wraps. Online retail and cloud kitchen segments are gaining traction, driving investment in direct-to-consumer (D2C) frozen boneless chicken brands. Startups in the U.S. and Germany raised $170 million in 2023 to build vertically integrated, farm-to-fork delivery systems that prioritize boneless meat freshness and traceability. The market is also witnessing expansion into high-growth regions like Africa, where infrastructure development is being backed by multilateral investments, including $340 million from agri-development banks.

New Product Development

The boneless cut chicken meat market has seen accelerated innovation in product development as companies respond to shifting consumer trends and evolving food preferences. In 2023, over 280 new boneless chicken products were launched globally across frozen, fresh, and ready-to-cook segments. The demand for convenient, high-protein, and versatile meal solutions has driven brands to diversify their boneless offerings with enhanced flavors, formats, and cooking styles. In North America, food manufacturers introduced more than 95 new SKUs of pre-marinated boneless chicken breasts and thighs. These include seasoned fillets, grilled strips, and diced cuts tailored for meal prep and grab-and-cook formats. Retailers reported a 21% increase in sales of marinated boneless chicken compared to 2022. Tyson Foods introduced a new frozen “air-fried” boneless chicken breast line with 40% less fat than traditional fried options, targeting health-conscious consumers. In Asia-Pacific, product innovation has focused on adapting boneless chicken to local culinary profiles. In 2023, Japan and South Korea launched over 40 new varieties of boneless chicken cuts specifically designed for ramen, bento, and stir-fry dishes. Boneless karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken) products grew in popularity, contributing to a 14% rise in supermarket boneless chicken snack items. China’s New Hope Group released a line of microwave-ready boneless spicy chicken cubes for young urban consumers.

Five Recent Developments

Tyson Foods launched a new AI-driven deboning system in 2024 capable of processing 8,500 chickens per hour, reducing labor dependency by 30%.
JBS Foods expanded its boneless processing unit in Paraná, Brazil, increasing production capacity by 18% in early 2024.
Mountaire Farms introduced a new line of pre-marinated boneless chicken products targeting the retail ready-to-cook segment, seeing a 12% sales increase in Q1 2024.
BRF S.A. signed a trade agreement with Saudi Arabia in late 2023 to supply 400,000 metric tons of boneless chicken annually.
Sunner Development completed a $120 million investment in a fully automated boneless chicken processing plant in Fujian, China, operational since February 2024.

Report Coverage of Boneless Cut Chicken Meat Market

This report provides an in-depth examination of the boneless cut chicken meat market, offering detailed insights across various key dimensions. It includes segmentation by type (chicken breast, chicken thigh, others) and application (food service, retail), thoroughly analyzing consumption patterns, production volumes, and import/export trends. The report assesses dynamic factors such as market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges—all substantiated by numerical data. Coverage spans major regional markets including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, identifying both established markets and emerging demand hubs. Additionally, the report profiles top industry players, their production capacities, innovation strategies, and investment patterns. Special emphasis is given to technological advancements in processing and packaging, regulatory trends, and consumer behavior shifts toward organic, antibiotic-free, and value-added boneless products. The investment section outlines infrastructure developments and capital flow across the poultry processing value chain, from slaughter to packaging. It also details product innovation, supply chain enhancements, and logistics improvements. The document presents recent developments shaping the competitive landscape and explores strategic initiatives adopted by key players to gain market share.