Poultry fat market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian poultry fat market expanded from 9 130 t in 2020 to 17 983 t in 2023, with imports serving as the primary growth driver. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumer preferences toward chicken as a healthier alternative to pork, supporting demand for poultry processing by-products. Simultaneously, increased investment in poultry feed production across the region, such as in the Philippines, bolstered consumption of poultry fat as a feed ingredient.

In 2021-2022, geopolitical shocks like the Russia-Ukraine war caused supply chain disruptions and raw material price hikes, but population growth and urbanization in Asia continued to fuel demand. In February 2022, the Malaysian government implemented a price ceiling on chicken and allocated over 2 billion ringgit to stabilize the market, spurring imports to meet domestic needs. Singapore enhanced import source diversification, approving new meat-supplying countries, which improved poultry fat availability.

Regional poultry fat production remained relatively stable, fluctuating from 1 177 t in 2019 to 1 324 t in 2023. Market growth in countries like India, driven by urbanization, rising incomes, and supportive government policies, contributed to higher processing volumes. By 2024, imports reached 27 581 t, reflecting continued market expansion supported by feed production investments and food security strategies.

Production poultry fat in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of poultry fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry fat, 2017-2020

In 2019, Asia's poultry fat production reached its lowest point at 1 177 tonnes, declining by 5.5% that year. However, production rebounded strongly in 2020, reaching 1 318 tonnes—an 11.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

Exports poultry fat from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Asia's poultry fat exports showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest export volume occurred in 2017, while exports peaked in 2020 at 1 799 tonnes—a remarkable 226.1% increase from the previous year. The gap between these years was substantial, with 2020 exports being 15 times higher than in 2017. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 63.6%, while the most dramatic increase happened in 2018 with a staggering 1 189.6% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and Belgium consistently served as the primary markets for Asia's poultry fat exports by volume. Chile accounted for 33.6% of exports, Asia (not elsewhere specified) represented 27.4%, and Belgium contributed 0.9%. Together, these three markets accounted for 62.0% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values demonstrated considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point occurred in 2017, while exports peaked in 2018 at 1 455 thousand US dollars—a 192.3% increase from the previous year. By 2020, export values reached 1 066 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 1.1% increase compared to 2019. The difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017 was substantial, with 2018 values being 2.9 times higher. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 27.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia's poultry fat export structure in value terms was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Chile accounted for 23.3% of export value, Asia (not elsewhere specified) represented 18.7%, and Sweden contributed 7.8%. Together, these three partners represented 49.8% of total export flows, while numerous other countries accounted for the remaining 50.2%.

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

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

Imports poultry fat to Asia

Imports in kind, t

Asia's poultry fat imports by volume increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 9 611 tonnes—a 6.5% increase compared to 2019. The lowest import volume occurred in 2018 at 8 762 tonnes, which represented a 1.9% decline that year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.6%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, France, and Australia were important suppliers of poultry fat to Asia by volume. Brazil accounted for 26.7% of imports, France represented 14.2%, and Australia contributed 5.8%. However, their combined share reached only 46.7% of total imports, with the remaining 53.3% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Asia's poultry fat imports by value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 11 626 thousand US dollars—a 9.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 16.9%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The largest decline was minimal, recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Brazil, and Australia formed the main group of sources for Asia's poultry fat imports by value. France accounted for 29.5% of import value, Brazil represented 23.5%, and Australia contributed 6.8%. Together, these three partners accounted for 59.8% of total import flows during this period.

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

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