Chicken meat and offal market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Laos's chicken meat production stood at 29 701 t, with a market volume of 32 498 t. That year, the government enacted regulations to establish special economic zones (SEZs), designed to attract foreign and domestic investment into poultry farming and processing, which laid the groundwork for expanding domestic output.

Domestic production continued its steady rise in the following years, reaching 41 157 t in 2023, while the overall market volume grew to 47 169 t. Imports, after a brief contraction in 2019, climbed to 6 389 t by 2023, supporting the larger market size.

By 2024, trade flows had intensified significantly, with imports reaching 8 493 t and exports at 209 t. This increased cross-border exchange of livestock products, as noted in official reports, indicated a more integrated regional market and sustained production growth within Laos.

Production chicken meat and offal in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Laos has seen its chicken meat and offal production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 36 699 tonnes, marking a steady 7.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 29%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Laos in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports chicken meat and offal from Laos

Exports in kind, t

Laos's exports of chicken meat and offal have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 56 tonnes, down 6.7% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports dropped by 52.2%, averaging an annual decline of 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Thailand were the dominant markets for Laos's chicken meat and offal exports, together accounting for 81.8% of total shipments. Other countries held much smaller shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Laos's export value of chicken meat and offal has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 45 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 50.2% decrease year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2020, export value fell by 81.3%, with an average annual drop of 42.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and Vietnam were the leading markets for Laos's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms, jointly making up 88.0% of total flows. The remaining share went to other countries.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Laos

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Laos's imports of chicken meat and offal rebounded in 2020. The country imported 1 561 tonnes, a significant 48.6% increase from the previous year. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 62.2%, with an average annual decline of 27.7%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 1 050 tonnes, which also saw the largest single-year drop of 64.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand was the primary source for Laos's chicken meat and offal imports, accounting for 94.6% of total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import value of chicken meat and offal in Laos showed notable volatility in recent years. In 2020, imports reached 2 040 thousand US dollars, up 21.6% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 678 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 7 514 thousand US dollars. This resulted in a 4.5-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019, with the sharpest decline of 77.7% taking place in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with Thailand alone responsible for 97.5% of total import value.

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

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