Poultry meat and offal market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The GCC poultry meat market volume showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. It jumped by 57% in 2019 to 5.2 million tons, primarily due to a sharp rise in imports. A contraction of 32% followed in 2020, bringing the market to 3.5 million tons. Recovery ensued in 2021, with volume reaching 4.2 million tons. After a minor decline in 2022, the market grew by 15% in 2023 to 4.7 million tons.

By 2024, market dynamics were shaped by increased import demand in the Near East, including GCC countries, encouraged by limited domestic poultry supplies and higher consumption. Brazil's role as a key supplier, sending nearly 60% of its frozen poultry exports to the Middle East, underscored the importance of cost and shelf-life for regional trade flows. Stricter halal certification and food safety standards in GCC countries influenced market access and labeling. Furthermore, growth in foodservice and retail sectors boosted demand for convenient, ready-to-cook poultry products, supported by advances in cold-chain logistics and freezing technologies that enhanced product quality and distribution.

Production poultry meat and offal in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Poultry meat and offal production in the GCC has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 2 131 thousand tons, marking a solid 12.3% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 34.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of poultry meat and offal production in the GCC declined. In 2020, production was valued at 15 076 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 3.0% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 15 550 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.1%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of poultry meat and offal from the GCC have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 138 thousand tons, representing a robust 18.2% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9.6%, with an average annual rate of 3.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 107 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.3%.

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

The export structure for poultry meat and offal in kind remained diverse from 2017 to 2020. Yemen accounted for 12.5% of exports, Iraq for 4.0%, and Brazil for 3.6%, with these three countries together making up just 20.1% of total flows, and no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of poultry meat and offal exports from the GCC declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 330 million US dollars, a 7.2% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 31%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 355 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 19.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Yemen contributed 7.7% of exports, Iraq 3.3%, and Brazil 2.1%, with these three together accounting for only 13.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of poultry meat and offal into the GCC showed significant fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was in 2020 at 1 552 thousand tons, reflecting a steep 55.0% drop from 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 3 445 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 99.8%. This resulted in a 2.2-fold difference between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the primary source for poultry meat and offal imports into the GCC, accounting for 70.1% of total imports in kind, while the rest was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, poultry meat and offal imports into the GCC were valued at 2 611 million US dollars, showing a solid 13.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 8.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 010 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Brazil, France, and Ukraine—together absorbed 77.8% of the total value of poultry meat and offal imports into the GCC.

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

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