Middle East: Fresh Whole Chicken Market 2025

Fresh Whole Chicken Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern fresh whole chicken market rose to $X in 2021, surging by 2.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Whole Chicken Production in the Middle East

In value terms, fresh whole chicken production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 14%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of fresh whole chicken production, comprising approx. 40% of total volume. Moreover, fresh whole chicken production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Saudi Arabia (X tons), with an 8.7% share.

In Turkey, fresh whole chicken production plunged by an average annual rate of -1.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (+0.8% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+3.9% per year).

Fresh Whole Chicken Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of fresh or chilled whole chickens, when their volume decreased by -8.5% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken exports declined notably to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 50%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the key exporter of fresh or chilled whole chickens in the Middle East, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 65% of total exports in 2021. Oman (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 29% share, followed by Turkey (4.8%).

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. By contrast, Turkey (-19.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+33 p.p.) and Oman (+10 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Turkey (-41.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) remains the largest fresh whole chicken supplier in the Middle East, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Oman ($X), with a 24% share of total exports.

In Saudi Arabia, fresh whole chicken exports increased at an average annual rate of +12.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Oman (+4.5% per year) and Turkey (-22.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -14.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+0.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Fresh Whole Chicken Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, purchases abroad of fresh or chilled whole chickens decreased by -10% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken imports declined markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Bahrain (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Yemen (X tons) represented the major importer of fresh or chilled whole chickens in the Middle East, committing 96% of total import.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading 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, the largest fresh whole chicken importing markets in the Middle East were Bahrain ($X), Kuwait ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), together comprising 90% of total imports.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +62.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -9.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

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