Chicken meat and offal market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The chicken meat and offal market in China experienced accelerated poultry production development in 2018, supported by updated agricultural quality and safety regulations. A pivotal change occurred in 2019 when the African swine fever outbreak severely constrained pork supply, driving a shift in consumer demand and the supply chain toward chicken as a key alternative protein. This substitution effect fueled a substantial market volume increase to nearly 16 million tons in 2020, a trend further reinforced that year by the national prohibition of antibiotic growth promoters in feed, which encouraged more sustainable farming practices.

Market volume remained near its peak in 2021, supported by stable poultry flock numbers and growing consumer preference for high-protein, low-fat meat products. A moderate contraction followed in 2022, influenced by the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumption patterns and significantly elevated feed costs, even as major integrated companies like Wen's Group advanced industry transformation. The market recovered in 2023, expanding again as industry concentration among leading producers increased, fresh chicken breast segments grew, and online sales channels for chicken meat gained substantial traction through digital supply chains.

Production chicken meat and offal in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained its position as the world's second-largest producer of chicken meat and offal.

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 14,600 thousand tonnes of chicken meat and offal, marking a 5.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.2%. The only decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, chicken meat and offal production in China saw a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 39,756 million US dollars, remaining largely stable compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 30.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 39,926 million US dollars, while the largest increase of 19.9% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from China

Exports in kind, K t

Chicken meat and offal exports from China declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 161 thousand tonnes, representing a 3.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Mongolia formed the primary markets for China's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms. Hong Kong accounted for 67.6% of exports, Malaysia for 7.2%, and Mongolia for 6.6%, together making up 81.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, chicken meat and offal exports from China declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 439 million US dollars, an 8.9% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 482 million US dollars, while the largest increase of 4.1% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Hong Kong dominated China's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms, holding 72.3% of total flows. Other countries each accounted for significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020

Imports chicken meat and offal to China

Imports in kind, K t

Chicken meat and offal imports into China increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 1,527 thousand tonnes, a substantial 95.8% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 238.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 50.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, the United States, and Argentina were the leading suppliers of chicken meat and offal to China in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 62.2% of imports, the United States for 12.6%, and Argentina for 8.6%, collectively representing 83.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal imports into China increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 3,447 million US dollars, a sharp 74.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 235.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 49.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, the United States, and Thailand remained the main sources of chicken meat and offal imports into China in value terms. Brazil held 63.1% of imports, the United States 9.5%, and Thailand 8.4%, together accounting for 81.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020