Fresh Whole Chicken Market

The global market for fresh or chilled whole chickens is anticipated to increase in consumption volume and market value over the period from 2022 to 2030. Key consuming countries include China, the United States, and India, while major trends in production and imports are also identified. Import and export price trends are analyzed, along with the top exporting countries such as China, Poland, and Austria.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for fresh or chilled whole chickens worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 44M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $125.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Fresh Or Chilled Whole Chickens

In 2022, the amount of fresh or chilled whole chickens consumed worldwide dropped to 37M tons, falling by -4.5% against the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 39M tons, and then fell modestly in the following year.

The global fresh whole chicken market value fell to $93.9B in 2022, declining by -2.9% against 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 +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $96.8B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (6M tons), the United States (3.2M tons) and India (2.3M tons), with a combined 31% share of global consumption. Spain, Turkey, Russia, Japan, Bangladesh, Norway, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Norway (with a CAGR of +37.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($19.5B), Turkey ($13.4B) and India ($4.1B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 39% share of the global market. The United States, Japan, Brazil, Spain, Russia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, Norway and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Norway, with a CAGR of +32.4%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of fresh whole chicken per capita consumption was registered in Norway (168 kg per person), followed by Spain (28 kg per person), Turkey (12 kg per person) and the United States (9.5 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of fresh whole chicken was estimated at 4.8 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the fresh whole chicken per capita consumption in Norway stood at +35.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+5.0% per year) and Turkey (-2.0% per year).

Production

World Production of Fresh Or Chilled Whole Chickens

In 2022, approx. 37M tons of fresh or chilled whole chickens were produced worldwide; waning by -4.4% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 39M tons, and then contracted slightly in the following year. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a modest increase of the number of producing animals and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken production reduced to $88.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +10.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 26%. Global production peaked at $120.6B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (6.1M tons), the United States (3.2M tons) and India (2.3M tons), together accounting for 31% of global production. Spain, Turkey, Russia, Japan, Bangladesh, Norway, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Norway (with a CAGR of +37.3%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Fresh Or Chilled Whole Chickens

In 2022, global fresh whole chicken imports declined to 425K tons, with a decrease of -11.1% on the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 498K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken imports amounted to $1.2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the three major importers of fresh or chilled whole chickens, namely Hong Kong SAR, the UK and Germany, represented more than third of total import. It was distantly followed by Italy (20K tons), mixing up a 4.8% share of total imports. Belgium (19K tons), France (19K tons), the Czech Republic (12K tons), Greece (12K tons), Macao SAR (11K tons), Bulgaria (11K tons), Yemen (9.8K tons), Austria (9.4K tons) and the Netherlands (8.2K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Macao SAR (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest fresh whole chicken importing markets worldwide were Hong Kong SAR ($231M), Germany ($200M) and the UK ($154M), together accounting for 51% of global imports. France, Italy, Belgium, Macao SAR, Austria, Greece, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Yemen lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

Macao SAR, with a CAGR of +18.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average fresh whole chicken import price amounted to $2,721 per ton, picking up by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price reached 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 Germany ($3,333 per ton), while Yemen ($746 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+6.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Fresh Or Chilled Whole Chickens

Global fresh whole chicken exports reduced slightly to 473K tons in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 563K tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken exports expanded significantly to $1.2B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 13%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (76K tons), followed by Belarus (50K tons), Poland (50K tons), Belgium (33K tons), the Netherlands (32K tons), Spain (30K tons), Italy (26K tons), Austria (23K tons), Saudi Arabia (23K tons) and France (22K tons) were the largest exporters of fresh or chilled whole chickens, together constituting 77% of total exports. The following exporters - Greece (14K tons), the UK (11K tons) and Bulgaria (11K tons) - together made up 7.7% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Greece (with a CAGR of +25.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($286M) remains the largest fresh whole chicken supplier worldwide, comprising 23% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($110M), with an 8.8% share of global exports. It was followed by Austria, with a 7% share.

In China, fresh whole chicken exports increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (-0.6% per year) and Austria (+17.7% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average fresh whole chicken export price stood at $2,642 per ton in 2022, increasing by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($3,914 per ton), while the UK ($745 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+6.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform