GCC: Fresh Whole Chicken Market 2025

Fresh Whole Chicken Market Size in GCC

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in the GCC fresh whole chicken market, when its value decreased by -0.8% to $X. The total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +10.5% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Whole Chicken Production in GCC

In value terms, fresh whole chicken production dropped modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% 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 +10.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of fresh whole chicken production was Saudi Arabia (X tons), comprising approx. 56% of total volume. Moreover, fresh whole chicken production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Oman (X tons), with a 15% share.

In Saudi Arabia, fresh whole chicken production increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+9.5% per year) and Oman (+12.4% per year).

Fresh Whole Chicken Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of fresh or chilled whole chickens, when their volume decreased by -11.3% to X tons. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken exports contracted significantly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 76% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the largest exporter of fresh or chilled whole chickens in GCC, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was near 69% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), generating a 31% share of total exports.

Saudi Arabia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the fresh or chilled whole chickens exports, with a CAGR of +11.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Oman (+8.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Saudi Arabia increased by +8.7 percentage points.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) remains the largest fresh whole chicken supplier in GCC, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Saudi Arabia totaled +12.8%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -13% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 24% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while Oman stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+0.9%).

Fresh Whole Chicken Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of fresh or chilled whole chickens, when their volume decreased by -7.8% to X tons. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +25.8% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 27%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken imports shrank markedly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 49%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Bahrain (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) represented the major importer of fresh or chilled whole chickens in GCC, comprising 99% of total import.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Kuwait (with a CAGR of +58.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Bahrain ($X), Kuwait ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 97% of total imports.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +62.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -12.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform