Frozen Whole Chicken Market

The article discusses the rising demand for frozen whole chicken worldwide, projecting an upward consumption trend over the next eight years with a forecasted increase in market volume and value. China leads in consumption and market value, followed by Brazil and India. The production of frozen whole chickens increased in 2022 after a four-year decline, with Brazil, China, and India being the top producers. The global market also saw a decline in imports and exports in 2022, with Brazil being the key exporter. Overall, the market is expected to show growth in volume and value terms, with key players including China, Brazil, and India.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for frozen whole chicken worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 6.6M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $14B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Frozen Whole Chickens

In 2022, consumption of frozen whole chickens increased by 2.2% to 6.2M tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by 3.3%. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 8.4M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global frozen whole chicken market value rose slightly to $11.3B in 2022, growing by 3.9% 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). Overall, consumption, however, showed a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.3%. Global consumption peaked at $15.7B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

China (1.2M tons) remains the largest frozen whole chicken consuming country worldwide, accounting for 19% of total volume. Moreover, frozen whole chicken consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Brazil (447K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (395K tons), with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled -3.5%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Brazil (+9.7% per year) and India (-0.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($3.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($690M). It was followed by Brazil.

In China, the frozen whole chicken market shrank by an average annual rate of -2.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: India (-0.1% per year) and Brazil (+8.2% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of frozen whole chicken per capita consumption in 2022 were Kuwait (25 kg per person), the United Arab Emirates (21 kg per person) and Saudi Arabia (8.3 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +8.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Frozen Whole Chickens

In 2022, production of frozen whole chickens increased by 6.6% to 6.4M tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Overall, production, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 8.3M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure. The general negative trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a perceptible curtailment of the number of producing animals and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, frozen whole chicken production shrank to $11.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $17.6B 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 Brazil (1.5M tons), China (1.2M tons) and India (399K tons), with a combined 47% share of global production. Turkey, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Indonesia, Japan and Pakistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Ukraine (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Frozen Whole Chickens

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded decline in supplies from abroad of frozen whole chickens, which decreased by -21.3% to 1.9M tons in 2022. Overall, imports showed a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 18%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 2.5M tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen whole chicken imports reduced to $3.1B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $4.9B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of frozen whole chicken imports in 2022 were Iraq (253K tons), the United Arab Emirates (243K tons) and South Africa (197K tons), together accounting for 36% of total import. Kuwait (109K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Yemen (104K tons). All these countries together held approx. 11% share of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (76K tons), Qatar (75K tons), Oman (70K tons), Libya (54K tons), Egypt (46K tons), Vietnam (43K tons), Singapore (40K tons) and Zambia (39K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of +42.9%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iraq ($421M), the United Arab Emirates ($414M) and Kuwait ($212M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 33% of global imports. Yemen, Qatar, Oman, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Singapore, Egypt, Vietnam and Zambia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Zambia, with a CAGR of +18.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average frozen whole chicken import price stood at $1,626 per ton in 2022, increasing by 9.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $1,971 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($2,356 per ton), while Zambia ($151 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+2.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Frozen Whole Chickens

Global frozen whole chicken exports fell to 2.1M tons in 2022, with a decrease of -11.1% against the year before. Overall, exports recorded a slight descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 16%. The global exports peaked at 2.6M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen whole chicken exports expanded significantly to $3.8B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $4.9B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

Brazil was the key exporter of frozen whole chickens in the world, with the volume of exports amounting to 1M tons, which was near 48% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Turkey (352K tons), Ukraine (135K tons) and Poland (106K tons), together committing a 28% share of total exports. The following exporters - France (92K tons), Argentina (47K tons), South Korea (43K tons) and the United Arab Emirates (32K tons) - together made up 10% of total exports.

Exports from Brazil decreased at an average annual rate of -3.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, South Korea (+19.0%), Poland (+18.4%), the United Arab Emirates (+16.6%), Ukraine (+15.4%) and Turkey (+6.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +19.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, France (-9.2%) and Argentina (-12.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey, Ukraine, Poland and South Korea increased by +8.6, +5.1, +4.2 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($1.9B) remains the largest frozen whole chicken supplier worldwide, comprising 51% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Turkey ($563M), with a 15% share of global exports. It was followed by Ukraine, with a 6.7% share.

In Brazil, frozen whole chicken exports contracted by an average annual rate of -2.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+3.8% per year) and Ukraine (+16.4% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average frozen whole chicken export price amounted to $1,816 per ton, jumping by 19% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 21% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $1,903 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 ($2,105 per ton), while Argentina ($1,331 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+2.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform