Historical Poultry Data

Poultry, particularly chicken, is one of the most consumed sources of protein globally. The poultry industry has undergone significant changes in terms of production, consumption, pricing, and external influences over the past decades. Understanding historical data in the poultry sector is essential for producers, traders, and industry stakeholders to make informed decisions based on past trends and market dynamics.
In this blog, we will explore the trends in poultry production and consumption, historical price fluctuations based on supply and demand data, major events that have impacted the industry, and the role of feed prices in shaping production costs.

Global Poultry Production and Consumption Trends: Growth from 2000 Onward

From the early 2000s, global poultry production has expanded significantly, driven by increasing demand for affordable protein, advancements in farming technology, and greater efficiency in production processes.

• 2000s: At the start of the millennium, global poultry meat production was approximately 58 million metric tons (MMT). The United States, China, and Brazil were the top producers, together accounting for almost half of the world’s total output. Poultry demand grew steadily during this time, particularly in developing regions due to the affordability of poultry compared to beef and pork. Improvements in feed technology and production methods further enhanced efficiency and output.
• 2010s: By the end of this decade, global poultry production rose to around 90 MMT. The United States remained one of the top producers, closely followed by Brazil and China. Brazil solidified its position as the largest poultry exporter, catering to key markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Countries like Russia and India also increased production to meet rising domestic demand, further reducing their dependence on imports.
• 2020s: Global poultry production surpassed 130 MMT, with the United States producing over 21.9 MMT, Brazil producing around 14.9 MMT, and China maintaining production levels around 22 MMT. Brazil emerged as the leading poultry exporter, supplying more than 35% of global poultry exports, driven by competitive production costs and expanding access to international markets.

Export Trends

Brazil and the United States have consistently dominated the poultry export markets:

• Brazil: At the beginning of the century, Brazil’s poultry exports stood at 1.6 MMT. By the 2020s, Brazil’s poultry exports increased to 4.85 MMT, with further growth projections of 5.04 MMT. Brazil’s success in poultry exports can be attributed to its competitive production costs, favorable trade agreements, and strong market presence in Europe, the Middle East, and China.
• United States: The United States has maintained its role as a significant exporter, shipping over 3 MMT annually to countries such as Mexico, China, and Canada. Despite high domestic demand, the U.S. continues to meet international needs, though rising feed prices and disease outbreaks have occasionally limited export volumes.

Poultry Consumption Trends

Consumption of poultry has seen rapid growth in both developed and developing regions since the 2000s:

• Health and Nutrition Trends: Consumers worldwide have increasingly preferred poultry over red meats due to its lower fat content and versatility in various cuisines.
• Economic Growth in Developing Regions: Rising incomes in countries across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America have resulted in significant increases in poultry consumption. For example, Africa has seen annual growth of over 5% in poultry consumption as urban populations expand and dietary patterns shift toward more affordable protein sources.
• Sustainability Considerations: Poultry’s lower environmental impact compared to beef and pork (requiring less land, water, and feed) has made it a preferred choice in countries with strong sustainability regulations, further boosting consumption.

Historical Price Fluctuations in the Poultry Market

The global poultry market has undergone significant transformations over the past two decades, with a wide array of external factors influencing production costs and price levels. From the early 2000s, poultry became a vital and affordable protein source for both developed and developing regions, solidifying its position as a key commodity in the global food system. However, prices have been anything but stable.

Several events have impacted poultry prices historically, ranging from global economic crises and environmental factors to disease outbreaks and geopolitical conflicts. Here’s a more concise overview of key events impacting historical poultry price fluctuations:

1. 2007-2008 Global Food Crisis

One of the earliest significant events affecting poultry prices in recent memory was the global food crisis of 2007-2008. This period saw a dramatic rise in the prices of key inputs such as corn and soybeans, which are essential for poultry feed. The crisis was driven by various factors, including:

• Rising oil prices, which increased the cost of transporting food and feed.
• Biofuel policies in the U.S. and Europe that diverted corn from food and feed uses to ethanol production, reducing availability and pushing prices higher.
• Global demand increases, particularly from growing economies such as China and India.

Impact on poultry prices: Poultry producers worldwide faced higher feed costs, which led to a rise in the price of chicken. However, because poultry is generally more affordable than beef or pork, consumers shifted more of their demand to poultry, which sustained consumption levels despite the price hikes.

2. 2010-2012 U.S. Droughts

During this period, severe droughts in the Midwest U.S. affected corn and soybean production, leading to spikes in feed prices. The U.S. is one of the world’s largest suppliers of poultry feed, and the drought caused disruptions that rippled through global poultry markets.

• Drought conditions reduced crop yields, tightening the supply of feed and increasing costs for poultry producers.

Impact on poultry prices: These droughts caused a significant rise in poultry prices, as producers passed on the increased feed costs to consumers. Additionally, this period marked the beginning of growing concerns over climate change’s potential long-term impact on agriculture and food prices.

3. 2014-2015 Avian Influenza Outbreaks

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks between 2014 and 2015 in the U.S. and parts of Europe led to the culling of millions of birds. This had severe consequences for both the poultry industry and global trade:

• Supply shortages caused price spikes, especially in regions heavily reliant on poultry imports from the U.S. and Europe.
• Trade restrictions were put in place to contain the virus, further disrupting global poultry supply chains.

Impact on poultry prices: Prices for poultry products, particularly chicken and eggs, increased as supply was limited. The disruptions were most notable in the U.S., where the broiler industry was significantly impacted. Export markets, including Mexico and China, also saw sharp price increases due to reduced supply from key producers.

4. 2018 U.S.-China Trade War

In 2018, the U.S. and China engaged in a trade war, with both countries imposing tariffs on a wide range of goods, including agricultural products. U.S. poultry exports to China, which had been recovering from previous avian influenza bans, faced new challenges as China imposed retaliatory tariffs on American poultry.

• The tariffs caused a significant decline in U.S. poultry exports to China, one of the largest markets for U.S. poultry products.

Impact on poultry prices: U.S. producers had to find alternative markets, and domestic poultry prices remained somewhat stable due to this export disruption. However, global markets, particularly in Asia, saw rising prices as other countries sought to fill the gap left by the U.S.

Recent Events (2020-2023)

Vesper’s price comparison graph shows fluctuations in Chicken ddwt Broiler prices from 2019 to 2024 for both the Spanish and EU27 markets, and highlights how the following events impacted price levels:

• COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2021): The global pandemic caused widespread disruptions in supply chains and demand patterns. Poultry prices dropped sharply during the early months of 2020 due to lockdowns, before recovering in 2021 as demand normalized and supply constraints eased.
• Feed Price Increases (2021-2022): Rising costs of corn and soybean due to supply disruptions and global demand resulted in higher production costs, driving up poultry prices globally.
• Avian Influenza (2021-2022): Outbreaks of avian influenza in Europe and the U.S. led to culling of poultry and reduced supply, pushing up prices in both the Spanish and EU markets. The green line (EU market) in the chart reflects this significant price increase in mid-2022.
• Energy and Transportation Costs (2022): The Russia-Ukraine conflict caused energy prices to spike, which increased production and transportation costs for poultry, leading to higher prices in 2022.

Key Resources for Accessing Historical Poultry Data

You can find historical poultry data from several reliable sources, including both government agencies and industry platforms. Here are some key resources:

1. USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) provides extensive reports on poultry production, consumption, and trade. The Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) publishes annual and semi-annual poultry reports for major producing and consuming countries like the U.S., Brazil, and China.

USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) offers comprehensive data on U.S. poultry production, prices, and feed costs, along with global trade data.

2. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

FAO provides global data on poultry production and consumption, including detailed country-by-country breakdowns. The FAOSTAT database includes long-term historical data on agricultural commodities, including poultry.

3. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook

The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook offers a 10-year projection of global agricultural markets, including historical data and forecasts for poultry production, consumption, and prices.

4. World Bank Data

The World Bank provides historical data on agricultural production, including poultry, at both the country and global levels. Their data portal allows users to download long-term historical data.

5. Vesper

Vesper’s platform provides access to pricing data for poultry and other agricultural commodities. If you have access to the Vesper platform, you can extract historical data on poultry spot prices, which can provide insight into both regional and global trends over time.

The Value of Historical Poultry Data

For industry professionals, understanding historical poultry data is crucial for navigating the complexities of the global market. By analyzing historical trends in production, prices, and the factors that influence them, producers, traders, and retailers can make informed decisions and better anticipate market changes.