Per capita poultry consumption

In 2025, per capita poultry consumption is projected to rise 1.2% to 117.3 pounds, driven by heightened interest in poultry as a healthy food option and the easing of prices resulting from lower feed costs and increasing flock sizes. These favorable supply-side conditions have established an ideal environment for consumption growth, with rising demand further supported by inflation-driven economic uncertainty and continued population growth. The expansion of locations serving tangential products, including hot wings, reflects a diversification of consumption avenues, particularly during major sporting and recreational events, enabling businesses to capture demand across various occasions and reinforcing poultry's role as a flexible protein source.

During the 2020 to 2025 period, poultry consumption growth experienced periods of stagnation and uptick. During 2020, the pandemic led to increased demand for essential grocery items, including poultry, as more meals were prepared at home, resulting in a 0.9% increase in poultry consumption pounds per capita, largely as a result of demand recovery for other livestock products. The positive momentum was offset in 2021 by higher chicken prices, as producers contended with sustained costs for inputs, and the gradual recovery of food service segments increased the availability of alternatives to home-made meals. In 2022, per capita poultry consumption rebounded by 2.1% to 114.3 pounds as reductions in retail prices made poultry an attractive option for consumers facing inflationary pressures. Over 2023 and 2024, poultry consumption continued along an upward trajectory, buoyed by the return of restaurant demand and overall improvements to supply chains; however, gains were tempered by ongoing food inflation and competitive pressures from other meat products.

Macroeconomic factors such as inflation, changes in disposable income and improvements in production efficiency for poultry have significantly influenced per capita consumption patterns. Broader trends, including consumer perceptions of healthfulness and the convenience of poultry, have also supported its demand. Furthermore, poultry's price advantage compared with other meats and its versatility in a range of cuisine types helped it maintain its position as a staple protein source throughout this period.

Over the five years to 2025, per capita poultry consumption grew at CAGR of 1.0%. Growth was primarily driven by persistent consumer preference for poultry, the restoration of production and supply following pandemic-related disruptions, and poultry's competitive pricing versus alternative proteins. These factors were partially offset by inflation and increased competition from plant-based and other animal proteins, which limited more robust gains in the period.