Lard and poultry fats market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lard and poultry fats in Northern America grew from 563 thousand tons in 2018 to 635 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was supported during the COVID-19 pandemic by increased demand for frozen meat products with longer shelf life and a rising use of animal fats as sustainable feedstock in the growing biodiesel sector.

After declining to 576 thousand tons in 2022, influenced by bird flu outbreaks that led to the culling of over 43 million chickens and a 25% spike in corn prices which raised production costs, the market recovered to 602 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery was aided by food industry innovation in new culinary applications for poultry fat and significant investments by major companies like Cargill in processing plants and feed mill capacity.

In 2024, ongoing technological improvements such as IoT-based automated feeding systems and continued investments in hatchery and slaughterhouse upgrades by industry players are refining production efficiency, while consumer preference for clean-label and antibiotic-free poultry products steers product development.

Production lard and poultry fats in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

Production of lard and poultry fats in Northern America has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Northern America produced 646.6 K t of lard and poultry fats, marking a slight rise of 2.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 14.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern America's lard and poultry fats production value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 733.1 M $ US, representing a 17.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 33.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 542.9 M $ US, with the largest decline of 1.3% occurring that same year.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

Northern America's lard and poultry fats exports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Northern America exported 19 058 t of lard and poultry fats, showing an abrupt reduction of 29.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 25.6%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 28 263 t, with the largest increase of 10.4% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Hong Kong accounted for 2.9% of exports in kind, China for 2.5%, and New Zealand for 1.6%, together making up only 7.0% of total flows. The remaining 93.0% consisted of a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, lard and poultry fats shipments from Northern America to abroad declined. In 2020, Northern America exported 21 609 K $ US of lard and poultry fats, corresponding to a strong reduction of 19.5% compared with 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 13.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 26 840 K $ US, while the largest increase of 5.7% occurred in 2018.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. China accounted for 3.9% of exports in value terms, Hong Kong for 3.3%, and New Zealand for 2.5%, together representing just 9.7% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position during this period.

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

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

Imports lard and poultry fats to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Northern America imported a total of 7 003 t of lard and poultry fats in 2020, marking a moderate advance of 6.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 571 t, with the largest decline of 12.5% occurring that year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 7 513 t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Australia together accounted for the main share of imports in kind, representing 4.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported lard and poultry fats volumes in Northern America have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Northern America imported 7 551 K $ US of lard and poultry fats, down by 6.3% compared with 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Australia led the list of markets for imports in value terms of lard and poultry fats to Northern America, together accounting for 8.1% of total flows.

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

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