Poultry meat and offal market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, China's poultry meat market volume grew from 40 163 thousand tonnes to 48 572 thousand tonnes. This expansion was supported by the continued enforcement of the national product standard GB 16869, which provided consistent technical benchmarks for quality and safety. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly increased demand for frozen poultry products, prompting authorities to strengthen cold-chain logistics requirements to ensure secure supply. Concurrently, heightened monitoring and reporting protocols for avian influenza, as outlined in official notices, helped maintain stable production levels despite disease risks.

Market growth continued through 2023, reaching 52 241 thousand tonnes. During this period, regulatory focus shifted toward upgrading cold-chain storage and transport specifications, with technical norms mandating stricter temperature and humidity controls. The introduction of detailed export technical guidelines in 2022 standardized quality and inspection requirements for poultry products, facilitating a rise in overseas shipments. Furthermore, revisions to the Livestock Law and the Agricultural Product Quality Safety Law enforced stricter traceability and labeling rules, compelling producers to adopt smarter packaging and improve supply chain transparency, which bolstered overall market integrity and consumer confidence.

Production poultry meat and offal in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, China ranked as the world's second-largest producer of poultry meat and offal from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

China's poultry meat and offal production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 47 220 thousand tonnes, a 5.4% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 24.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

China's poultry meat and offal production value also increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 130.3 billion US dollars, showing a slight rise of 1.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 48.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports poultry meat and offal from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's cross-border shipments of poultry meat and offal declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 202 thousand tonnes, down 7.3% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 16.1%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Macao, and Malaysia were the top destinations for China's poultry meat and offal exports in volume terms. Hong Kong accounted for 69.0% of exports, Macao for 6.1%, and Malaysia for 5.8%, together making up 80.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, China's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 557 million US dollars, a 10.9% drop year-over-year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 625 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the dominant market for China's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms, representing 74.5% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's imports of poultry meat and offal in volume terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 553 thousand tonnes, a sharp rise of 95.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 243.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 50.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for China's poultry meat and offal imports in volume terms were Brazil, the United States, and Argentina. Brazil accounted for 61.4% of imports, the United States for 12.8%, and Argentina for 8.4%, together comprising 82.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

China's imports of poultry meat and offal in value terms also grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 3 500 million US dollars, a 73.9% increase from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, imports jumped by 239.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 50.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Brazil, the United States, and Thailand—collectively accounted for 80.3% of China's total poultry meat and offal imports in value terms.

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

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