Poultry Market Share & Trends [2033]

Poultry Market Overview

Global Poultry market size is estimated at USD 449614.43 million in 2024 and expected to rise to USD 617411.67 million by 2033, experiencing a CAGR of 3.6%.

The poultry market is one of the most dynamic sectors within global agriculture, producing approximately 137 million metric tons of chicken meat and over 86 million metric tons of eggs annually. The global poultry sector is dominated by broiler chickens, which account for more than 90% of poultry meat consumed. In 2023, global poultry meat consumption per capita reached 15.2 kilograms, showing a steady increase compared to 14.6 kilograms in 2020. As of 2024, over 28 billion chickens are raised globally at any given time, outnumbering humans by more than threefold. Egg production has surpassed 1.5 trillion units annually, driven by increasing demand for affordable protein in Asia-Pacific and Africa.

The industrialization of poultry farming has led to rapid improvements in feed conversion ratios, with modern broiler breeds converting 1.6 kilograms of feed into 1 kilogram of meat. More than 78% of global poultry production now comes from intensive farming systems, especially in developed countries. Meanwhile, demand for organic and antibiotic-free poultry is rising, especially in Europe, where over 18% of consumers purchase free-range poultry regularly. The United States, China, and Brazil remain top poultry-producing countries, collectively accounting for over 60% of global output.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rapid urbanization and growing demand for high-protein, low-fat meat sources.

Top Country/Region: China leads with annual poultry meat production exceeding 24 million metric tons.

Top Segment: Broiler chickens dominate, accounting for over 75% of total poultry meat consumed globally.

Poultry Market Trends

Global consumption of poultry products has surged due to population growth, urbanization, and economic development. In 2024, poultry accounted for 39% of all meat consumed worldwide, surpassing beef and nearing parity with pork. Chicken, in particular, has become the meat of choice in low- and middle-income countries due to its affordability and shorter production cycle. Brazil, for instance, exported over 4.8 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2023, reaching over 150 countries.

Technological innovations in hatcheries, feed optimization, and disease prevention have significantly improved production yields. In modern hatcheries, chick hatch rates now exceed 92%, up from 88% in 2018. Moreover, feed efficiency improvements have reduced the average time to market for broilers to just 38-42 days. Genetic selection has also contributed to uniformity in bird size, with the average commercial broiler now weighing 2.6 kilograms at harvest.

Consumer trends show a marked shift toward antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and organic poultry. In 2023, sales of antibiotic-free chicken rose by 11% in North America alone. Similarly, plant-based poultry alternatives have entered the market aggressively, growing by over 20% in volume sales, although they still account for less than 3% of total poultry protein consumption globally.

Poultry Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for affordable animal protein

The global surge in demand for poultry is primarily driven by its cost-effectiveness compared to other meats and its high protein-to-fat ratio. Chicken, for example, contains approximately 27 grams of protein and only 3 grams of fat per 100 grams of cooked meat, making it attractive for health-conscious consumers. In China and India, where income levels are rising, poultry consumption has increased by 14% and 11% respectively over the past five years. Additionally, poultry’s shorter production cycle compared to beef or pork makes it more adaptable to demand fluctuations. The industry has also seen increasing adoption of integrated supply chain models, enhancing efficiency and traceability across production, processing, and distribution.

RESTRAINT

Volatility in feed prices and disease outbreaks

Feed costs represent 60–70% of total poultry production expenses. The volatility in corn and soybean prices, both key components of poultry feed, directly impacts operational margins. In 2022, corn prices spiked by 25% due to poor harvests and geopolitical tensions, causing a notable surge in poultry input costs. Furthermore, outbreaks of avian influenza continue to challenge producers. Over 58 million birds were culled globally due to bird flu outbreaks between 2022 and 2023, with the U.S. alone losing over 43 million chickens. Biosecurity challenges, particularly in open-range and smallholder farms, pose additional risks to supply continuity.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in value-added and ready-to-eat poultry products

The shift in consumer lifestyles toward convenience has created a growing opportunity for value-added poultry offerings. In 2023, ready-to-eat poultry products represented over 18% of total poultry product sales in North America. Marinated, pre-cooked, and microwave-ready chicken products are experiencing double-digit growth in Europe. In Southeast Asia, demand for processed chicken sausages and nuggets has risen by 13% year-over-year. This trend opens opportunities for food processors and retailers to expand profit margins through product differentiation and branding.

CHALLENGE

Environmental and ethical concerns

The poultry industry faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental footprint and animal welfare practices. A single broiler farm with 50,000 birds can generate over 250 tons of waste annually, contributing to ammonia emissions and water pollution. In the EU, over 21% of consumers report concern over intensive poultry farming conditions, prompting calls for transparency and higher welfare standards. Regulations such as the EU’s ban on battery cages and tighter labeling requirements for meat products are pushing producers toward compliance-heavy operations. The transition toward sustainable practices requires capital investments that smaller producers may struggle to afford.

Poultry Market Segmentation

The poultry market is segmented by type and application. Key types include chicks and eggs, while major applications include layers, fattened birds (broilers), and reproduction.

By Type

Chicks: The global production of broiler chicks surpasses 90 billion units annually, with hatcheries operating at over 80% utilization in high-demand markets like the U.S. and China. Modern chick production facilities use high-efficiency incubators with capacity exceeding 100,000 eggs per machine. Hatch-to-slaughter cycles have reduced significantly, with broiler chicks achieving market weight in less than six weeks. The chick supply chain is highly integrated, often combining breeder farms, hatcheries, and grow-out farms under one corporate structure.
Eggs: Global egg production exceeded 86 million metric tons in 2023, equivalent to more than 1.5 trillion eggs. China remains the largest producer, contributing over 35% of global egg supply with more than 500 billion eggs annually. Technological improvements in layer housing and feed conversion have raised average laying rates to 320 eggs per hen annually. The market is also expanding for specialty eggs such as omega-3 enriched and organic, which now account for over 7% of total egg sales in developed markets.

By Application

Layers: Layer hens are bred specifically for egg production and are managed to sustain high laying frequencies. As of 2023, more than 8 billion layer hens were in operation globally. Average egg production per bird annually ranges between 290 and 330 eggs, depending on breed and feeding regimen. Layer operations are increasingly automated, with robotic egg collectors and climate-controlled housing becoming standard.
Fattened (Broilers): Broiler production dominates the poultry sector, with over 137 million metric tons of meat produced in 2023. Brazil and the U.S. produce more than 50 million broilers each month. Broilers are raised in confined housing with optimized light and temperature control, enabling faster weight gain. Market weight is typically reached in 38-45 days, with average carcass yields of 72%.
Reproduction: Reproductive poultry farms supply parent stock for hatcheries and include both breeder hens and roosters. Fertility rates in well-managed breeding farms exceed 90%, with each breeder hen laying up to 150 fertilized eggs in a breeding cycle. Genetics companies continue to invest in strain development to enhance fertility, chick viability, and disease resistance.

Poultry Market Regional Outlook

Global poultry production and consumption patterns vary significantly by region, shaped by economic, cultural, and regulatory factors.

North America

The North American poultry market is characterized by high per capita consumption and advanced industrial infrastructure. The U.S. alone produces over 20 million metric tons of broiler meat annually, with per capita consumption reaching 50 kilograms. Canada’s poultry sector produced over 1.4 billion kilograms of chicken in 2023. Stringent biosecurity protocols, animal welfare certifications, and demand for antibiotic-free meat continue to shape market dynamics. Over 90% of broiler farms in the U.S. operate under vertically integrated models.

Europe

Europe emphasizes animal welfare, sustainability, and traceability. The EU produced 13.5 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2023, with France, Germany, and Poland as key contributors. Egg production stood at 6.7 million metric tons, with over 48% of layer hens in alternative housing systems such as free-range or organic. Consumer demand for slow-growing and heritage poultry breeds is increasing. Regulatory compliance with welfare and labeling standards drives innovation in housing, feed, and traceability systems.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific leads global egg and poultry production, with China producing more than 24 million metric tons of chicken and over 500 billion eggs annually. India follows with an annual output of over 5.3 million metric tons of poultry meat and 120 billion eggs. Consumption is expanding in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia seeing double-digit growth. Rapid urbanization and cold chain expansion are improving market penetration for chilled and frozen poultry products.

Middle East & Africa

The poultry market in the Middle East and Africa is growing, with significant investment in domestic production. South Africa leads with over 1.7 million metric tons of broiler meat annually, while Egypt produces over 13 billion eggs. The Gulf region heavily depends on imports, though Saudi Arabia is investing in domestic expansion, producing over 900,000 tons of chicken in 2023. Infrastructure development and feed supply chain improvements are helping reduce costs and increase food security.

List of Top Poultry Market Companies

Tyson Foods
CP Group
Wens Foodstuff Group
Sanderson Farms
Industrias Bachoco
Koch Foods
BRF
New Hope Liuhe
Perdue Farms
Cargill
Hormel Foods
PHW
Cal-Maine Foods
OSI Group
Rose Acre Farms
Hendrix Genetics
Grimaud
Nutreco

Top Two Companies with Highest Share

Tyson: Foods operates more than 100 production facilities and processes over 40 million chickens per week in the U.S., giving it a dominant market share in North America.

CP Group: of Thailand is the largest poultry producer in Asia, supplying over 2.5 million broilers daily and exporting to more than 20 countries.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The poultry market is witnessing significant investments aimed at scaling production, modernizing infrastructure, and enhancing biosecurity. As of 2024, more than 60% of global poultry investments have been concentrated in emerging economies such as India, Vietnam, and Nigeria, driven by increasing domestic consumption and government-backed agricultural initiatives. In India alone, over 2,800 new commercial poultry farms have been established since 2021, each with an average capacity of 30,000 birds per cycle. These setups are benefiting from subsidies for cold chain equipment, hatchery automation, and breeder stock procurement.

Vertical integration is a major investment trend. Companies like BRF and Cargill have expanded their presence across the poultry value chain by investing in feed mills, breeder operations, and downstream processing plants. In Brazil, BRF has allocated over $160 million toward upgrading its hatchery and slaughterhouse capacity between 2022 and 2024. These investments target reducing reliance on third-party suppliers, which in turn lowers operational risks and improves margins.

Another notable opportunity lies in the rapid growth of the organic and antibiotic-free poultry segment. In the EU, over 18% of poultry consumers regularly opt for organic or free-range options. To meet this demand, Tyson Foods invested in a new 320,000 square-foot processing plant in Tennessee dedicated solely to antibiotic-free chicken. The facility processes over 200,000 birds weekly, showcasing how targeted investments are capitalizing on shifting consumer behavior.

New Product Development

Innovation in poultry product development is accelerating, with a sharp focus on value-added, health-centric, and convenience-driven offerings. In 2023, more than 1,500 new poultry SKUs (stock keeping units) were introduced across global markets, 60% of which were in the ready-to-eat or marinated categories. For instance, Europe saw the launch of over 220 new poultry-based snack products, including protein-enriched wraps, grilled strips, and low-sodium chicken sausages.

Functional poultry products are gaining traction, especially in health-conscious demographics. In Japan, the launch of low-fat, high-protein chicken breast snacks fortified with collagen led to monthly sales of over 500,000 units within three months of release. Similarly, poultry enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D has gained favor in Scandinavian markets, where nutritional transparency is a strong consumer preference.

Plant-based poultry analogues represent a smaller but rapidly expanding segment. In 2024, global production of chicken substitutes reached 165,000 metric tons. While still below 3% of total poultry volume, these products are targeting flexitarian consumers. New entrants in the space are leveraging extrusion technology to mimic the texture of chicken, with shredded and fillet formats seeing the most success.

Five Recent Developments

Tyson Foods Expansion: Tyson Foods inaugurated a new facility in Humboldt, Tennessee with a capacity to process over 200,000 birds per week, focused on antibiotic-free poultry products and expected to employ over 1,000 workers.
CP Group Investment: CP Group committed $300 million toward establishing an integrated poultry processing facility in Vietnam with a daily output of 100,000 birds, boosting Southeast Asia's export capacity.
Cal-Maine Cage-Free Transition: Cal-Maine Foods converted over 5 million hen placements to cage-free housing systems, representing 18% of its total egg-laying capacity, to align with changing consumer preferences in the U.S.
Hormel Foods Launch: Hormel introduced a new line of organic poultry deli slices under its premium brand, reporting a 12% quarter-over-quarter increase in sales across North America.
BRF Sustainability Initiative: BRF initiated a zero-waste poultry plant in Parana, Brazil, capable of recycling 98% of water used in processing and converting 90% of waste into bioenergy and by-products.

Report Coverage of Poultry Market

This report comprehensively analyzes the global poultry market, examining production, consumption, trade flows, market structure, and emerging trends. The study covers both primary poultry types—meat and eggs—while segmenting by type (chicks, eggs) and application (layers, fattened, reproduction). More than 30 countries are evaluated, encompassing top producers and consumers including the U.S., China, Brazil, India, Russia, Indonesia, and the EU.

Quantitative insights are drawn from multi-year production trends, showing that global poultry meat production exceeded 137 million metric tons in 2023 and is supported by over 28 billion birds raised globally. Egg production trends are also dissected, with emphasis on the 86 million metric tons generated annually, driven by high-efficiency laying systems and breed optimization.

The report highlights regional differences in consumption patterns, housing systems, processing technologies, and regulatory frameworks. North America’s industrial efficiency contrasts with Europe’s sustainability focus and Asia’s demand-driven growth. In Africa and the Middle East, supply-side investments and feed self-sufficiency initiatives dominate market development efforts.

Additionally, this coverage includes in-depth company analysis for 18 leading poultry firms globally, offering insights into production volumes, product diversification, technological investments, and global market penetration. Notably, Tyson Foods and CP Group are evaluated for their vertical integration strategies and dominant market shares in their respective regions.