Global Chicken Market Report by Countries and Company Analysis 2026-2034

Global Chicken Market Size & Forecast

Global Chicken Market is projected to grow from US$ 164.62 Billion in 2025 to US$ 274.13 Billion by 2034, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.83% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2034. Market growth is primarily driven by increasing global demand for affordable and high-quality protein, population growth, and the comparatively lower cost of chicken relative to other animal protein sources. The expansion of fast-food restaurants, evolving consumer dietary preferences, and rising demand for convenient poultry-based food products are further supporting market expansion.

What is Chicken and its Uses & Popularity Worldwide

Chicken is a widely consumed poultry meat derived primarily from domesticated chickens and is an important source of high-quality animal protein, vitamins, and essential nutrients. It is consumed in numerous forms, including fresh, frozen, chilled, processed, marinated, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-eat products. Chicken is extensively used in households, restaurants, hotels, catering services, fast-food chains, food processing, and institutional foodservice. Its versatility allows it to be prepared through frying, grilling, roasting, baking, boiling, and cooking in curries, soups, sandwiches, salads, and other prepared meals.

Worldwide popularity is supported by its relatively affordable price, short production cycle, favorable feed-conversion efficiency, and broad acceptance across different cultures and religions. FAO notes that chicken generally faces fewer religious and cultural barriers than several other meats. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook projects global poultry consumption to reach approximately 173 million tons of ready-to-cook meat by 2034, representing about 62% of additional meat consumption over the decade. Rising populations, urbanization, higher incomes, expanding foodservice, and increasing consumer preference for affordable protein continue to strengthen chicken demand worldwide.

Global chicken consumption per person

• Metric: Per capita meat supply measured as the number of chickens killed/available for consumption per person annually globally.
• 1961 Baseline: Approximately 2 chickens per person per year were consumed globally.
• 1990 Milestone: Consumption more than doubled to 5 chickens per person.
• 2022–2023 Peak: Average consumption reached 9 chickens per person by 2022, continuing to climb past 9 by 2023.
• Overall Trend: A steady, uninterrupted global increase spanning over six decades (1961–2023), resulting in more than a fourfold rise per capita.

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO, 2025)

Global Chicken Production by Major Market (2025/2026)

• United States: 20.2% of global production, with total production of 21.77 million metric tons.
• China: 15.3% of global production, with total production of 16.50 million metric tons.
• Brazil: 14.3% of global production, with total production of 15.45 million metric tons.
• European Union: 11.2% of global production, with total production of 12.09 million metric tons.
• Russia: 4.6% of global production, with total production of 5.00 million metric tons.
• Mexico: 3.8% of global production, with total production of 4.15 million metric tons.
• Thailand: 3.3% of global production, with total production of 3.54 million metric tons.
• Turkey: 2.6% of global production, with total production of 2.80 million metric tons.
• Argentina: 2.3% of global production, with total production of 2.53 million metric tons.
• Colombia: 1.9% of global production, with total production of 2.07 million metric tons.

Growth Driver

Rising Demand for Affordable and High-Quality Protein

Increasing global demand for affordable animal protein is one of the major factors supporting the expansion of the chicken market. Chicken is generally less expensive than beef and several other meat products while providing substantial amounts of protein, making it attractive to consumers seeking economical nutritional options. According to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025–2034, global poultry consumption is projected to reach about 173 million tons of ready-to-cook meat by 2034, with poultry accounting for approximately 62% of the additional meat consumed globally during the outlook period. The report also indicates that poultry is expected to provide around 45% of protein consumed from all meat sources by 2034. Chicken’s favorable protein-to-fat ratio, relatively short production cycle, and efficient feed conversion further strengthen its competitive position. Rising populations and incomes in middle-income economies, particularly across Asia, are expanding demand for accessible animal protein. Consequently, consumers are increasingly substituting chicken for higher-priced red meats, supporting sustained worldwide market growth.

Population Growth, Urbanization, and Changing Dietary Preferences

Population growth, rapid urbanization, and evolving dietary habits are creating substantial opportunities for the global chicken market. Urban consumers increasingly seek convenient, affordable, and versatile food products that can fit into busy lifestyles. Chicken is well suited to these requirements because it is available in fresh, frozen, processed, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-eat formats. FAO identifies population growth, urbanization, and rising incomes in developing countries as important drivers of increasing poultry consumption. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook further projects that most growth in meat consumption will originate from middle-income countries, with particularly strong increases expected in countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. Changing dietary preferences are also encouraging substitution away from beef and other red meats toward poultry because of price, nutritional, environmental, and health considerations. Expanding urban populations are simultaneously supporting restaurants, quick-service chains, delivery platforms, supermarkets, and convenience-food channels, thereby increasing chicken consumption across both developed and emerging economies.

Expansion of Foodservice and Improvements in Poultry Production

The rapid expansion of restaurants, fast-food chains, catering businesses, and convenience-food outlets is strengthening demand for chicken products worldwide. Chicken’s versatility allows foodservice operators to offer products ranging from fried chicken and burgers to grilled meals, wraps, sandwiches, salads, and prepared dishes. At the same time, technological improvements in poultry breeding, feed management, farm automation, disease control, processing, and cold-chain logistics are increasing production efficiency and helping suppliers meet rising demand. The OECD-FAO notes that poultry has advantages over other meats because of its short production cycle, high feed-conversion efficiency, lower production costs, and ability to be produced close to rapidly urbanizing markets. Global poultry consumption was estimated at roughly 147 million tons in 2024, according to the OECD-FAO data series, and is projected to rise steadily through 2034. Growing investment in modern poultry farms, automated processing facilities, refrigerated distribution, and product innovation is therefore improving supply capabilities. These developments enable producers to respond efficiently to changing consumer demand while supporting broader market penetration.

Challenge

Poultry Diseases and Biosecurity Risks

Disease outbreaks represent a significant challenge for the global chicken industry because infectious diseases can rapidly affect poultry populations, production volumes, trade flows, and operating costs. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is particularly important because outbreaks can require the culling of birds, movement restrictions, enhanced surveillance, and costly biosecurity measures. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook identifies the increasing incidence and spread of HPAI outbreaks as a constraint on poultry-sector growth. Higher concentrations of poultry production can increase disease-transmission risks, while surveillance, containment, vaccination programs, and other preventive measures can raise production costs. Disease-related disruptions can also affect processors, retailers, foodservice operators, and international trade by reducing available supplies and increasing prices. Producers therefore need continued investment in farm hygiene, vaccination where appropriate, disease monitoring, controlled access, ventilation, sanitation, and rapid-response systems. Maintaining strong biosecurity is particularly important as poultry production becomes increasingly intensive to satisfy global protein demand. Consequently, disease management remains a major operational and financial consideration for chicken producers worldwide.

Antimicrobial Resistance, Sustainability, and Production Costs

The chicken industry also faces increasing pressure to manage antimicrobial use, environmental impacts, animal welfare expectations, and rising production costs. Antimicrobials are important for treating animal infections, but inappropriate or excessive use can contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). WHO recommends reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in food-producing animals to help preserve antimicrobial effectiveness for human medicine. Research published in Nature Communications estimated that 73% of antimicrobials sold globally are used in animals raised for food, highlighting the importance of responsible antimicrobial stewardship. The study also reported that in low- and middle-income countries, the share of antimicrobials associated with resistance prevalence above 50% increased in chicken from 15% to 41% between 2000 and 2020. Alongside AMR concerns, producers face pressure to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, improve manure management, conserve water and energy, and strengthen animal-welfare practices. Feed prices, energy costs, labor expenses, disease-control spending, and compliance requirements can further reduce margins, creating challenges for producers seeking to expand competitively.

Advanced Production Infrastructure and Strong Domestic United States Demand

The United States chicken production market is one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced poultry industries, supported by large-scale farming, integrated supply chains, sophisticated breeding programs, and efficient feed management. The industry benefits from extensive adoption of automated feeding, climate-control, monitoring, processing, and disease-management technologies, which help improve productivity and maintain consistent supply. Strong domestic consumption is another major growth factor because chicken remains an affordable and widely accepted source of animal protein. The market also has a well-developed export infrastructure serving customers across Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and other regions. In addition, the presence of major vertically integrated poultry companies strengthens production, processing, logistics, and distribution capabilities. The industry nevertheless faces challenges from feed-price volatility, disease outbreaks, environmental sustainability requirements, and animal-welfare expectations. The U.S. poultry sector continues to benefit from technological innovation and efficient production systems, allowing producers to respond to changing consumer preferences. Rising demand for fresh, frozen, processed, and ready-to-cook chicken products is expected to support continued market expansion.

Urbanization and Protein Demand Accelerate China Chicken Consumption

China represents one of the world’s largest and fastest-evolving chicken consumption markets, supported by population scale, urbanization, rising household incomes, and changing dietary preferences. Consumers are increasingly incorporating poultry into their diets because chicken provides an affordable source of protein compared with several alternative meats. The expansion of urban lifestyles and foodservice has further increased demand for fried chicken, chicken burgers, prepared meals, and other convenient poultry products. E-commerce and modern retail platforms are also expanding access to chilled, frozen, marinated, and processed chicken products, particularly among younger urban consumers. According to the figures cited in the market assessment, chicken consumption increased from approximately 4 kilograms per person in 1962 to nearly 70 kilograms per person in 2022, representing an almost 18-fold increase. Government initiatives supporting agricultural modernization, food security, and domestic poultry production are also strengthening the supply side. Continued growth in food delivery, quick-service restaurants, supermarkets, and online grocery platforms is expected to sustain demand. The combination of affordability, convenience, and nutritional value positions chicken as an increasingly important protein source in China.

Health-Conscious Consumption and Sustainable Poultry Demand Support European Union Growth

European Union chicken consumption market is characterized by relatively stable demand, strong food-safety standards, and increasing consumer interest in poultry as an affordable and comparatively lean animal-protein source. Chicken is increasingly preferred over some red meats because of changing dietary habits, health considerations, and price competitiveness. The market is also experiencing greater demand for organic, free-range, welfare-certified, chilled, and processed poultry products. Modern supermarkets, discount retailers, convenience stores, and foodservice outlets provide extensive distribution opportunities, while ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat chicken products are becoming increasingly important for consumers seeking convenience. According to the European Commission’s agricultural outlook, EU poultry meat consumption is projected to reach approximately 24.6 kg per capita by 2030, around 1.2 kg higher than in 2020. The EU poultry industry, however, faces strict environmental, animal-welfare, food-safety, and production regulations that can increase compliance costs. Despite these constraints, poultry is positioned as a relatively affordable and resource-efficient meat option. Demand from export markets, together with domestic consumption and product diversification, is expected to support the EU chicken market over the coming years.

High Consumption and Food-Security Priorities Drive Import Demand in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is an important poultry-import market because domestic production does not always fully satisfy the country’s strong demand for chicken meat. Population growth, rising incomes, urbanization, expanding foodservice, and high consumer preference for poultry are contributing to sustained import requirements. Chicken is particularly important within the Saudi diet because it is comparatively affordable and is widely used across household meals, restaurants, hotels, catering, and fast-food outlets. Imports therefore complement domestic poultry production and help maintain supply availability throughout the year. Saudi Arabia also continues to pursue food-security objectives by strengthening domestic agricultural and poultry capabilities while maintaining diversified international supply sources. In 2024, Brazil alone exported approximately 370,800 tonnes of chicken meat to Saudi Arabia, making the country one of Brazil’s leading international destinations. The Saudi import market can nevertheless be affected by international poultry prices, feed costs, shipping expenses, trade regulations, disease-related restrictions, and geopolitical or supply-chain disruptions. Diversification of suppliers remains important for maintaining food security. Continued population growth, strong foodservice demand, and consumer preference for chicken are expected to sustain Saudi Arabia’s importance as a poultry-import market.

Record Export Volumes Strengthen Brazil’s Global Position

Brazil is a global powerhouse in chicken production and exports, benefiting from abundant agricultural resources, competitive production costs, integrated poultry companies, and extensive access to international markets. Brazilian chicken products are supplied to major markets across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, where competitive pricing and reliable supply support strong demand. According to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), Brazil exported a record 5.294 million tonnes of chicken meat in 2024, representing a 3% increase from 2023 and the highest export volume recorded by the sector at that time. Export revenue reached approximately US$9.928 billion, up 1.3% year over year. China was the largest destination in 2024 at 562,200 tonnes, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 455,100 tonnes, Japan at 443,200 tonnes, and Saudi Arabia at 370,800 tonnes. Brazil’s export strength is supported by its large production base, internationally recognized processing standards, and diversified customer network. ABPA reported that Brazil’s chicken production reached about 15.289 million tonnes in 2025, while exports reached a record 5.324 million tonnes. These factors are expected to reinforce Brazil’s role as a leading global supplier of chicken products.

Chicken Market Market Segments

• Segments

Countries– Market breakup in 25 Countries:

North America

• United States
• Canada

Europe

• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Turkey

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• New Zealand

Latin America

• Brazil
• Mexico
• Argentina

Middle East & Africa

• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

All the Key players have been covered from 5 Viewpoints:

• Business overview
• Key Persons
• Recent Development & Strategies
• SWOT Analysis
• Revenue Analysis

Key Company Covered

1. Vertex Pharmaceuticals
2. Abbvie Inc.
3. Novartis Ag
4. Gilead Sciences
5. Viatris INC
6. Pfizer
7. Astrazeneca
8. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

Report Details: