Global Poultry Industry Set for Growth in 2025
Professor Dr. Salah Mahdi Hassan / Consultant Poultry Diseases and Production
The year 2025 is set to be a year of significant growth for the global poultry industry, according to the latest Animal Protein Report from (RaboResearch), the economic research and insights division of (Rabobank), a Dutch multinational cooperative bank and one of the largest banks in the Netherlands and one of the largest financial institutions with a strong focus on the agricultural and food sector.
This positive momentum appears to be driven by the affordability of production, sustainability trends and strong demand in emerging markets. The global poultry market is expected to grow by 2.5% to 3.0% in the new year, maintaining the high pace of production that began in 2024.
With increasing economic pressures due to rising animal protein prices from various sources, poultry remains the only option for low-priced animal protein. “Chicken will remain well-positioned due to its low costs in times of rising costs for competing proteins,” said (Nan-Dirk Mulder), senior animal protein analyst at RaboResearch. The report also noted a shift towards poultry as consumers continue to make commitments to sustainability in developed countries. The relatively low CO2 footprint of poultry meat compared to other meats makes it a very valuable commodity. Emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa are expected to lead this growth, while markets in developed countries, especially Europe, will also see continued expansion. However, Mulder added that “market success will depend on balanced production growth.” One of the biggest challenges facing the poultry industry is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The outbreak that began in Europe in February 2022 has continued into the new year 2025 with no signs of abating. A new wave of infections is currently affecting Europe and Northeast Asia. Strict biosecurity is essential, according to RaboResearch, and the real key to controlling the risk of avian influenza. Many countries have been implementing vaccinations as a means of reducing the risk of avian influenza. However, potential new trade restrictions could be a barrier to domestic markets and global trade. Another worrying factor is the disease’s contribution to global supply shortages. From breeding flocks due to infection of the grandparent or parent flocks.
Another major challenge facing the industry is the upcoming crop season. “The most significant risk to the outlook is the potential for La Niña year and crop developments in Europe,” said Mulder. La Niña is a climate phenomenon that occurs in the Pacific Ocean, characterized by an abnormal cooling of the surface waters of the tropical Pacific Ocean. La Niña affects weather patterns around the world, as it can cause increased rainfall in some areas and drought in others. Operating costs are expected to remain relatively flat, supported by large supplies of corn and soybeans from North America and Brazil.
With the new administration in place in the United States, there are additional unknowns that are hampering the global poultry industry’s clear vision. During his presidential campaign, President Donald Trump mentioned plans to enact a series of import tariffs, which has put the US agricultural industry on alert for possible retaliation against its products. “Geopolitical tensions and trade issues will continue to challenge the industry, particularly issues related to policy changes by the new US government, rising tensions between Europe and China, rerouting of shipping via the southern route due to unrest in the Middle East, as well as trade restrictions due to poultry disease challenges.” RaboResearch expects increased focus on food and resource security, local economies, and global trade relations, which could create volatility in trade flows and prices.
