Frozen Chicken Cut Market

The global frozen chicken cut market is expected to witness steady growth in consumption, production, imports, and exports over the period from 2022 to 2030. Market performance is projected to increase with a CAGR of +2.5% in volume and +4.0% in value. China leads as the largest consumer, importer, and producer of frozen chicken cuts. Brazil and the United States are key exporters. Import and export prices are on the rise, indicating a healthy market demand and growth potential.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for frozen cuts of chicken worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 26M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $49B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Frozen Cuts Of Chicken

In 2022, consumption of frozen cuts of chicken decreased by -0.9% to 21M tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 22M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global frozen chicken cut market revenue rose modestly to $35.8B in 2022, picking up by 3.8% 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 +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

China (3.8M tons) remains the largest frozen chicken cut consuming country worldwide, accounting for 18% of total volume. Moreover, frozen chicken cut consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (1.5M tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (790K tons), with a 3.8% share.

In China, frozen chicken cut consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+6.9% per year) and the United States (-3.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($1.5B). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +1.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+7.6% per year) and Japan (+0.9% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of frozen chicken cut per capita consumption was registered in Cuba (29 kg per person), followed by Japan (4.4 kg per person), Mexico (3.9 kg per person) and the Philippines (3.8 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of frozen chicken cut was estimated at 2.7 kg per person.

In Cuba, frozen chicken cut per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+1.3% per year) and Mexico (+3.4% per year).

Production

World Production of Frozen Cuts Of Chicken

In 2022, production of frozen cuts of chicken decreased by -0.6% to 22M tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 8.8%. Global production peaked at 23M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a noticeable increase of the number of producing animals and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, frozen chicken cut production fell modestly to $33.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $35.6B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (3.8M tons), Brazil (3.8M tons) and China (2.7M tons), with a combined 46% share of global production. India, Indonesia, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Thailand, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +21.8%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Frozen Cuts Of Chicken

In 2022, approx. 9.2M tons of frozen cuts of chicken were imported worldwide; growing by 2.3% compared with the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 6.6%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, frozen chicken cut imports skyrocketed to $18.1B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (1.3M tons), distantly followed by Japan (551K tons) and the Philippines (431K tons) represented the largest importers of frozen cuts of chicken, together constituting 25% of total imports. Cuba (333K tons), the Netherlands (317K tons), Angola (270K tons), the United Arab Emirates (268K tons), Ghana (245K tons), Vietnam (228K tons), South Korea (223K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (218K tons), Mexico (203K tons) and Iraq (194K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +10.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Philippines (+14.7%), South Korea (+6.8%), Cuba (+6.7%), Ghana (+5.1%), the United Arab Emirates (+4.8%), Iraq (+4.7%), Japan (+2.8%), the Netherlands (+2.1%), Angola (+1.5%) and Mexico (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +14.7% from 2012-2022. Taiwan (Chinese) experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Vietnam (-7.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+7.7 p.p.) and the Philippines (+3.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Vietnam (-4.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($4.1B) constitutes the largest market for imported frozen cuts of chicken worldwide, comprising 23% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($1.5B), with an 8.2% share of global imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 3.3% share.

In China, frozen chicken cut imports expanded at an average annual rate of +16.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+2.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+5.5% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average frozen chicken cut import price stood at $1,958 per ton in 2022, growing by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. 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 China ($3,172 per ton), while Ghana ($807 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Frozen Cuts Of Chicken

Global frozen chicken cut exports expanded to 10M tons in 2022, rising by 2.5% compared with the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 8.2%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, frozen chicken cut exports soared to $18.8B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

Brazil (3.4M tons) and the United States (3.1M tons) represented the key exporters of frozen cuts of chicken in 2022, resulting at approx. 32% and 29% of total exports, respectively. The Netherlands (638K tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Poland (530K tons). All these countries together took approx. 11% share of total exports. Thailand (349K tons), Turkey (308K tons), Ukraine (225K tons), Russia (211K tons) and Germany (173K tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +24.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest frozen chicken cut supplying countries worldwide were Brazil ($6.7B), the United States ($4B) and the Netherlands ($1.3B), together comprising 64% of global exports. Thailand, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +28.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average frozen chicken cut export price stood at $1,810 per ton in 2022, jumping by 18% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Thailand ($3,187 per ton), while the United States ($1,315 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+4.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform