Eastern Asia: Chicken Meat Market 2025

Chicken Meat Market Size in Eastern Asia

After four years of growth, the East Asian chicken meat market decreased by -0.7% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Chicken Meat Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, chicken meat production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +77.3% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

China (X tons) remains the largest chicken meat producing country in Eastern Asia, accounting for 78% of total volume. Moreover, chicken meat production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Japan (X tons), sixfold. South Korea (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5% share.

In China, chicken meat production increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Japan (+5.9% per year) and South Korea (+4.6% per year).

The average chicken meat yield shrank to X kg per head in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by 4.1%. Over the period under review, the chicken meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for chicken meat production in Eastern Asia amounted to X heads, growing by 2.1% compared with the previous year's figure. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 5.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Chicken Meat Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

Chicken meat exports shrank to X tons in 2021, waning by -8.7% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 44%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, chicken meat exports dropped to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 21%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 68% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and South Korea (X tons), together generating a 30% share of total exports. Japan (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Korea (+6.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +6.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Japan (-3.0%) and Hong Kong SAR (-23.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of China and South Korea increased by +48 and +9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest chicken meat supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with a 9.8% share of total exports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 6.7% share.

In China, chicken meat exports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-22.5% per year) and South Korea (+7.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 8.9% against the previous year. Export price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, chicken meat export price increased by +30.2% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Chicken Meat Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of chicken meat, when their volume decreased by -8.1% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, chicken meat imports dropped to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +40.3% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 22%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) was the largest importer of chicken meat, making up 54% of total imports. Japan (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and South Korea (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 45% share of total imports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the chicken meat imports, with a CAGR of +13.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Japan (+3.8%) and South Korea (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Taiwan (Chinese) (-3.1%) and Hong Kong SAR (-11.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+32 p.p.) and Japan (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Taiwan (Chinese) and Hong Kong SAR saw its share reduced by -4.5% and -29.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chicken meat in Eastern Asia, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Hong Kong SAR, with an 11% share.

In China, chicken meat imports increased at an average annual rate of +16.5% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+0.1% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-7.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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