The global poultry meat market size was valued at USD 366.80 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 371.72 billion in 2026 to USD 413.48 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 1.34% during the forecast period (2026–2034). Asia Pacific dominated the poultry meat market with a market share of 38.60% in 2025.
Poultry meat refers to the edible meat obtained from domesticated birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese raised for human consumption. It is valued for its high protein content, affordability, and versatility, making it one of the most widely consumed animal protein sources worldwide. Poultry meat is available in fresh, frozen, and processed forms for retail, foodservice, and industrial applications.
The poultry meat market demand is increasing due to the rising consumption of affordable animal protein, changing dietary preferences, and population growth across developing economies. Producers are investing in modern poultry farming, processing technologies, and cold chain infrastructure to improve production efficiency and product quality. Expanding foodservice demand, increasing availability of value-added poultry products, and advancements in poultry production practices are also contributing to poultry meat market growth.
Download a Free Sample To learn more about this report,
Shift toward Air-Chilled Processing
The increasing focus on meat quality and product differentiation is accelerating the adoption of air-chilled poultry processing in the poultry meat market. Poultry processors are transitioning from conventional water-chilling systems to air-chilling methods that minimize water absorption and preserve the natural texture and flavor of the meat. For example, Bell & Evans uses air-chilling technology across its poultry processing operations to produce premium chicken products.
Increasing Emphasis on In-Ovo Vaccination Programs
The increasing emphasis on flock health is encouraging poultry producers to expand the use of in-ovo vaccination technologies in commercial hatcheries. This shift is improving disease protection while enhancing production efficiency and consistency across large-scale poultry operations. For example, Zoetis provides in-ovo poultry vaccines that are widely used by commercial poultry producers to improve flock health and productivity.
Poultry Meat Market Investment and Funding Analysis
The poultry meat market continues to attract significant capital investment as producers expand processing capacity, strengthen regional production networks, and improve supply chain efficiency to meet rising global demand for poultry products.
Key Investment and Funding Activities in Poultry Meat Market, 2025–2026
Company
Funding/Investment (USD)
Details
Pilgrim's
USD 1.3 Billion
In January 2026, Pilgrim's announced an investment of USD 1.3 billion in Mexico through 2030 to expand poultry production capacity, increase domestic chicken supply, and create approximately 4,000 direct jobs.
JBS
USD 70 Million
In October 2025, JBS announced a USD 70 million investment in Paraguay, including the acquisition of the Pollos Amanecer poultry processing plant and expansion of poultry production infrastructure to support domestic supply and exports.
Source: Secondary Research
The poultry meat market is highly exposed to supply chain disruptions due to its dependence on feed ingredients, hatcheries, processing facilities, cold chain logistics, and global distribution networks. Volatility in feed grain prices, disease outbreaks, transportation bottlenecks, labor shortages, and disruptions in cold storage infrastructure have increased production costs and affected the timely supply of fresh and processed poultry products, prompting producers to diversify feed sourcing, strengthen biosecurity measures, and invest in regional processing capacity. The market is expected to experience a capacity-constrained recovery, as consumer demand remains strong while the expansion of poultry production, processing capacity, and cold chain infrastructure continues to determine the pace of supply normalization.
Rising Demand for Affordable Animal Protein in Middle-Income Countries and Growing Preference for Poultry's Protein-to-Fat Profile Drives Market
High incomes and urbanization in middle-income countries are increasing demand for accessible animal protein, with poultry benefiting from its relatively low cost compared with other meats. The OECD-FAO projects around 76% of global meat consumption growth through 2035 to come from lower- and upper-middle-income countries, creating a large demand base for poultry. Poultry is expected to account for the largest increase in meat consumption, with global consumption projected to rise by 29 million tonnes by 2035, supporting higher demand in emerging markets.
Consumer preference for leaner animal protein is increasing demand for poultry, as it provides a higher protein-to-fat ratio than many other meats. The OECD-FAO projects poultry to provide 45% of protein consumed from all meat sources by 2034, reflecting continued dietary substitution toward poultry. This nutritional positioning is supporting poultry demand as consumers seek affordable protein with lower fat content, particularly in markets where poultry is already replacing beef and pork.
Feed Cost Exposure and Commodity Price Dependence Restrain Market Expansion
Feed represents the largest operating expense in poultry production, making profitability highly dependent on the prices of corn, soybean meal, and other feed ingredients. Sudden increases in feed costs immediately compress producer margins, while transferring these costs to consumers is often constrained by competitive pricing pressures.
Fresh poultry meat remains highly price competitive, with limited product differentiation across many markets. Producers frequently compete on price rather than product value, reducing their ability to maintain stable margins during periods of rising production costs. Dependence on commodity pricing also increases earnings volatility and limits investment in premium product development, restraining sustainable market expansion.
Premium Product Diversification and Export Market Expansion Create Opportunities for Market Players
Evolving consumer purchasing patterns are encouraging manufacturers to introduce antibiotic-free, organic, free-range, and specialty poultry products that command higher market prices. Expanding premium product portfolios enables producers to improve profitability while serving differentiated consumer segments beyond conventional poultry sales. This creates opportunities for poultry processors, retailers, certification agencies, and branded food companies. Companies including Perdue Farms, Tyson Foods, and BRF continue expanding premium poultry offerings across domestic and international markets.
Investments in internationally recognized food safety, halal, and export certifications are enabling poultry producers to access higher-value overseas markets with stronger long-term demand. Expanding export capabilities reduces dependence on domestic consumption while improving production utilization and revenue diversification. This creates commercial opportunities for processors, exporters, logistics providers, and certification organizations as global poultry trade continues to expand.
Biosecurity Management and Supply Chain Coordination Hinders Growth
Large poultry companies manage thousands of contract farms, hatcheries, feed suppliers, and processing facilities operating within interconnected production networks. Maintaining consistent biosecurity standards across every stage of this value chain is operationally complex, as a single disease outbreak can disrupt production schedules, processing operations, and export commitments.
Poultry production requires careful coordination between breeding, feed procurement, farming, processing, and distribution to avoid supply-demand imbalances. Overproduction can reduce market prices and compress producer margins, while underproduction increases supply shortages and weakens customer relationships.
The chicken segment accounted for a share of 69.84% in 2025, supported by its affordability, high protein content, and widespread consumer preference across retail and foodservice channels. The expansion of commercial poultry production and increasing consumption of convenient protein sources continue to strengthen the segment's dominance.
The turkey segment is expected to register a CAGR of 1.72% during the forecast period, driven by growing consumer preference for lean meat options and increasing demand for processed poultry products.
Request Customizationto receive a tailored report.
The fresh segment accounted for a share of 62.48% in 2025, supported by strong consumer preference for minimally processed poultry products and widespread availability through supermarkets, butcher shops, and traditional retail outlets. The demand for fresh, high-quality meat and expanding cold chain infrastructure continue to reinforce the segment's dominance.
The processed segment is expected to register a CAGR of 1.68% during the forecast period, driven by rising demand for ready-to-cook and value-added poultry products among busy consumers. Product innovations and increasing penetration of convenience food across modern retail channels further support segment growth.
The supermarkets and hypermarkets segment accounted for a share of 46.76% in 2025, supported by their extensive product assortment, competitive pricing, and established cold storage infrastructure. Consumer preference for one-stop shopping and expanding organized retail networks continue to strengthen the segment's dominance.
The online retail segment is expected to register a CAGR of 2.04% during the forecast period, driven by increasing adoption of e-commerce platforms offering fresh and frozen poultry with doorstep delivery. Digital grocery shopping and improvements in cold-chain logistics are further supporting segment growth.
The household consumers segment accounted for a share of 73.18% in 2025, supported by the widespread consumption of poultry meat as an affordable and versatile source of animal protein in daily diets.
The foodservice industry segment is expected to register a CAGR of 1.81% during the forecast period, driven by increasing demand from restaurants, quick-service restaurants, hotels, and catering services. Out-of-home dining trends and consumption of poultry-based menu offerings are further supporting segment growth.
Speak to an Analystto discuss market opportunities.
Asia Pacific: Market Leadership Driven by Rising Poultry Consumption and Expanding Commercial Production
The Asia Pacific poultry meat market accounted for the largest regional share of 38.60% in 2025, driven by rising population, increasing disposable incomes, and strong consumer preference for affordable animal protein. Rapid expansion of commercial poultry farming, improvements in breeding technologies, and growing investments in integrated poultry production systems continue to strengthen regional supply.
The China poultry meat market was valued at USD 49.55 billion in 2025, driven by high domestic consumption, expanding commercial poultry farming, and increasing demand for processed and convenience poultry products. Investments in modern poultry production facilities, improved disease management practices, and integrated supply chains continue to strengthen market performance.
The India poultry meat market was valued at USD 23.36 billion in 2025, supported by increasing protein consumption and wider availability of processed poultry products. According to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying’s Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2025, India produced 5.18 million tonnes of poultry meat in 2024–25, accounting for nearly half of total meat production, highlighting the growing importance of poultry as a major protein source.
The Japan poultry meat market was valued at USD 15.57 billion in 2025, driven by steady consumer demand for high-quality poultry products and increasing preference for lean protein sources. Advanced poultry processing technologies, strict food safety standards, and well-established retail distribution networks continue to support market stability. According to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), demand for chicken remained firm in 2025, with chicken retail prices rising amid steady consumer demand, supporting continued consumption of poultry meat.
Unlock Regional Insightsto access country-level data, & regional trends.
North America: Fastest Growth Driven by Value-Added Poultry Products and Advanced Processing Technologies
The North America poultry meat market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.48% during the forecast period, supported by strong demand for poultry as an affordable protein source, highly integrated production systems, and continuous advancements in poultry processing technologies. Investments in automation, sustainable poultry farming, and efficient cold chain logistics are supporting long-term market development.
The US poultry meat market was valued at USD 66.39 billion in 2025, driven by large-scale commercial poultry production, high domestic consumption, and strong export demand. Advanced breeding technologies, automated processing facilities, and integrated supply chains enable efficient production and distribution across domestic and international markets. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, U.S. broiler exports were forecast at approximately 6.5 billion pounds in 2025, highlighting strong international demand for U.S. poultry meat.
The Canada poultry meat market was valued at USD 9.54 billion in 2025, supported by stable domestic consumption, supply-managed poultry production, and growing demand for fresh and processed poultry products. Canada’s Farm Products Council confirms that chicken and turkey remain under the country’s supply-management system, which uses production quotas, pricing mechanisms, and import controls to maintain a stable supply for consumers.
The poultry meat market is moderately fragmented, with multinational poultry processors, integrated meat producers, regional poultry companies, cooperatives, and private-label suppliers serving retail, foodservice, and industrial customers. Established players compete primarily on large-scale production capacity, vertically integrated supply chains, product quality, food safety standards, processing efficiency, and extensive distribution networks. Emerging and regional players compete through competitive pricing, specialty and value-added poultry products, localized sourcing, and customized offerings tailored to regional consumer preferences. The poultry meat market ecosystem is shaped by rising demand for affordable protein, increasing consumption of processed poultry products, and stringent food safety regulations.
Customize This Report to Match Your Strategic Objectives
Author's Details
Research Analyst
Devyani Desale is an F&B research professional with 2+ years of experience in market intelligence, specializing in market analysis, secondary research, market estimation, and forecasting across the food and beverage sector. She provides actionable insights into market dynamics, industry trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging growth opportunities to support strategic business decision-making.
Her expertise includes assessing market size, growth potential, competitive scenarios, consumer trends, and industry developments through structured research and analytical methodologies. She focuses on translating market data into clear, relevant insights that support business strategy and informed decision-making.
Plant-based Yoghurt Market Size, Share, Growth, 2034
United States Wagyu Beef Market Size, Share, Growth & Forecast 2034
Australia Wagyu Beef Market Size, Demand, Forecast to 2034
Japan Wagyu Beef Market Analysis, Suppliers, Forecast to 2034
North America Wagyu Beef Market Demand, Top Share to 2034
Wagyu Beef Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Report, 2034
We are featured on:
sales@straitsresearch.com