Chicken meat and offal market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The chicken meat market in Lebanon saw its volume contract to 124.2 thousand tonnes in 2019 before entering a phase of recovery and growth, reaching 144.1 thousand tonnes by 2023. This turnaround was supported by regulatory interventions, including the joint Ministry of Economy and Agriculture decision in 2020 to set maximum price ceilings for poultry, which helped protect consumer purchasing power and stimulated demand. Earlier infrastructure developments, such as the opening of a 25-tonne cold storage facility by Soujouna Poultry in 2018, also strengthened the supply chain for frozen meat.

Market expansion continued, driven by the increased distribution activity of major players like Tayba Farms, which expanded its reach for fresh and frozen chicken both domestically and internationally. Simultaneously, the market volume was influenced by the influx of illicit imports, such as Turkish chicken breast entering via Syria, which added to available supply in 2023. These dynamics occurred alongside persistent challenges for local producers from duty-exempt processed chicken imports from Arab countries.

Consumer preferences gradually shifted towards fresh processed chicken, valued for its higher nutritional quality. The regulatory environment remained active, with new price ceilings for poultry products established in 2024, while the poultry union emphasized the sector's continued operational efficiency despite economic and security pressures.

Production chicken meat and offal in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Lebanon's production of chicken meat and offal reached 130.6 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 7.9% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 121.0 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 135.9 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline in production was observed in 2019, when it fell by 11.0%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of chicken meat and offal from Lebanon showed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest point was in 2017, rising to a peak in 2019, representing a 4.6-fold increase between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 908 tonnes, which was a sharp decline of 13.8% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 213 tonnes, with the largest annual increase occurring that same year at 162.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key export partners for Lebanon's chicken meat and offal in volume terms were Liberia, accounting for 62.8% of exports, Guinea with 9.5%, and Brazil at 4.9%. Together, these three countries represented 77.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of chicken meat and offal exports from Lebanon totaled 1 002 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 4.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export values grew by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 569 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 39.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 66.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of Lebanese chicken meat and offal in value terms were Liberia, which accounted for 56.2% of exports, Qatar at 7.3%, and the United Arab Emirates also at 7.3%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 70.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Imports of chicken meat and offal into Lebanon declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volumes stood at 1 587 tonnes, representing a sharp drop of 70.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 88.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 50.8%.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, Brazil dominated Lebanon's imports of chicken meat and offal in volume terms, accounting for 82.6% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of chicken meat and offal into Lebanon fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the import value totaled 2 630 thousand US dollars, indicating a drastic decrease of 79.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values dropped by 87.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 49.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the dominant source for Lebanon's imports of chicken meat and offal in value terms, capturing 80.6% of total flows. The remainder was spread across a fragmented array of other markets.

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

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