Chicken meat and offal market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the chicken meat market in MENA expanded significantly, with volume rising from 9 339 thousand tonnes to 11 336 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by Saudi Arabia's dominant role, where increased tourism and shifting consumer trends boosted demand, while growing supply chain complexity heightened the need for frozen meat to extend shelf life. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, reducing imports and causing a temporary market contraction to 10 376 thousand tonnes, even as reliance on frozen products increased to ensure availability.

Post-pandemic recovery in 2021 pushed the market to 10 973 thousand tonnes, driven by rising demand for fresh processed chicken meat due to its perceived nutritional value. The following year, market volume slightly declined to 10 518 thousand tonnes amid ongoing supply chain complexities. By 2023, efforts to enhance food security under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, including a focus on local production and technological investments in poultry farming, coupled with growing demand for protein-rich diets in urban centers, fueled market growth to a new high of 11 464 thousand tonnes.

Entering 2024, the market continued to be shaped by technological advancements in Saudi poultry farming and expanded investments by major companies like Savola Group and Almarai into the sector. Supply chain complexity remained a factor sustaining demand for frozen products to ensure supply stability.

Production chicken meat and offal in MENA

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

Chicken meat and offal production in the MENA region has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 233 thousand tonnes, which represents an 11.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of chicken meat and offal production in MENA reached 18 303 million US dollars, marking a significant 30.9% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 52.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.2%. The only decline during this time occurred in 2019, when production value fell by 3.8%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, MENA's chicken meat and offal exports declined in 2020. Exports stood at 193 thousand tonnes, reflecting an 8.9% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 10.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 212 thousand tonnes, when exports surged by 16.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, MENA's chicken meat and offal exports were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Hong Kong accounted for 12.9% of exports, Vietnam for 6.1%, and Afghanistan for 4.2%. Together, these three markets represented just 23.2% of total export flows, while the remaining 76.8% went to numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal exports from MENA have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 430 million US dollars worth of these products, showing a 7.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 39.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, MENA's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms were spread across a diverse group of partner countries. Hong Kong accounted for 4.8% of export value, Afghanistan for 3.6%, and Vietnam for 2.4%. Combined, these three markets represented only 10.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, MENA's chicken meat and offal imports dropped sharply to 2 337 thousand tonnes, a dramatic 43.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 7.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 166 thousand tonnes, when imports jumped by 69.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Turkey, and the United States were the main sources of chicken meat and offal imports to MENA. Brazil accounted for 60.1% of imports, Turkey for 14.2%, and the United States for 7.6%. Together, these three countries supplied 81.8% of total imports to the region.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, MENA's chicken meat and offal imports were valued at 3 556 million US dollars, reflecting a 10.7% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 10.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.8%. The only increase during this time occurred in 2019, when import value rose by 6.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, Turkey, and Ukraine formed the key group of partners for MENA's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms. Brazil accounted for 62.3% of import value, Turkey for 11.3%, and Ukraine for 4.2%. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% of total import flows.

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

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