Poultry fat market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. poultry fat market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 17,868 tons in 2018. That year, JBS S.A.'s significant investments in poultry production facilities expanded processing capacity for poultry fat. Market volume then dropped to 12,948 tons in 2019, a period which saw Cargill's major investment in a new poultry plant in the Philippines, potentially affecting global supply flows. A sharp recovery followed in 2020, with consumption rising to 21,048 tons.

From 2021 to 2023, market volume moved between 17,762 and 20,957 tons, while its value climbed consistently from $15.5 million to $25.9 million. This rise in value was primarily driven by supply chain disruptions and high poultry feed prices in 2022, which increased production costs and market prices. Furthermore, the overall growth of the U.S. poultry market, fueled by inflation and demand for affordable protein, supported underlying fat supply. In 2023, regulatory support for biofuels under environmental standards created new demand for poultry fat as a feedstock, and concurrent infrastructure investments helped expand production capabilities.

By 2024, technological advances such as enzymatic rendering had improved yield efficiency by 18%, and the number of rendering plants supplying biofuel producers grew by 24% since 2020, strengthening the link between poultry fat processing and the renewable energy sector.

Production poultry fat in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, the United States ranked as the 4th largest producer of poultry fat from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of poultry fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry fat, 2017-2020

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 22 269 tonnes, then climbed to their peak in 2017, representing a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the United States produced 39 100 tonnes of poultry fat, marking a significant increase of 75.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 54.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year contraction, poultry fat production in the United States increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 36 683 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic improvement of 62.9% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 46.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 18.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 22 513 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline took place in 2018 with a 48.4% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports poultry fat from the United States

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, foreign supplies of poultry fat from the United States increased. In 2020, exports totaled 20 632 tonnes, up by 54.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 72.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 35.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 369 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 67.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for exports in kind were the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, which together accounted for 70.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, poultry fat shipments from the United States to abroad increased. In 2020, the United States exported 19 356 thousand US dollars of poultry fat, up by 43.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 66%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 515 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2018 with a 62.9% drop.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets for exports in value terms were Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany, together taking 64.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports poultry fat to the United States

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 167 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 4 048 tonnes, showing a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the United States imported 2 580 tonnes of poultry fat, indicating a sharp decline of 36.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 51.5% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 246.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, dependence on Canada was pronounced, as this market accounted for 91.5% of total imports in kind of poultry fat to the United States.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The period saw a trough in 2018 at 1 192 thousand US dollars and a peak in 2019 at 3 015 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.5-fold amplitude. In 2020, the United States imported a total of poultry fat valued at a certain amount in thousand US dollars, marking a steep contraction of 31.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 38.5% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 152.9% rise.

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

In 2017–2020, Canada and France were the two dominant destinations for imports in value terms of poultry fat to the United States, with Canada accounting for 80.4% and France for 19.5% of total flows, together forming 99.9% of the total.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020