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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.
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.
Brazil and the United States have consistently dominated the poultry export markets:
Consumption of poultry has seen rapid growth in both developed and developing regions since the 2000s:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
You can find historical poultry data from several reliable sources, including both government agencies and industry platforms. Here are some key resources:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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