Turkey consumption in the US edged down to 14.5 pounds per capita in 2023, even as global poultry demand is projected to keep climbing. From Brazil’s 50 kg chicken per capita projection to the global poultry market forecast of $550 billion by 2028, these statistics map how tastes, trade, and production pressures are reshaping the meat poultry industry.
Key Takeaways
- US per capita chicken consumption was 98.9 pounds in 2022, up from 97.5 in 2021
- Global per capita poultry meat consumption projected to reach 15.6 kg by 2030
- In the EU, poultry meat consumption averaged 25.5 kg per capita in 2021
- The global poultry market was valued at $410 billion in 2022, projected to grow to $550 billion by 2028 at CAGR 5.1%
- US poultry industry generated $65 billion in farm cash receipts in 2022
- Brazil's poultry exports generated $9.2 billion in revenue in 2022
- The US poultry industry employed 1.2 million workers directly in 2022
- Globally, poultry sector provides jobs to 50 million people, including farming and processing
- Brazil's poultry industry employs 1.5 million people, 4% of agricultural workforce
- US broiler production emits 1.1 kg CO2e per kg chicken meat, lower than beef's 60 kg
- Global poultry production uses 25% less water than pork per kg protein
- Brazil's poultry sector reduced GHG emissions by 15% per kg since 2010 via efficiency
- In 2022, the United States produced 9.2 billion broiler chickens, weighing approximately 44.5 billion pounds ready-to-cook
- Global poultry meat production reached 137 million metric tons in 2022, with a growth rate of 2.5% from the previous year
- Brazil exported 4.8 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2022, accounting for 35% of global poultry exports
In 2022 global poultry demand grew, with US chicken consumption rising and the market forecast to keep expanding.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption19 stats
01
US per capita chicken consumption was 98.9 pounds in 2022, up from 97.5 in 2021
02
Global per capita poultry meat consumption projected to reach 15.6 kg by 2030
03
In the EU, poultry meat consumption averaged 25.5 kg per capita in 2021
04
Brazil's domestic poultry consumption grew to 48 kg per capita in 2022
05
China's poultry consumption reached 14.5 kg per capita in 2022, driven by urban middle class
06
US turkey consumption per capita was 14.8 pounds in 2022
07
India's poultry meat consumption increased to 5.2 kg per capita in FY2022
08
Mexico consumed 38 kg of poultry meat per capita in 2022, highest in Latin America
09
Japan's per capita chicken consumption was 12.5 kg in 2022
10
South Africa's poultry consumption totaled 1.8 million tons in 2022, per capita 30 kg
11
US per capita consumption of turkey declined to 14.5 lbs in 2023 forecast
12
EU per capita poultry consumption stable at 26 kg in 2022
13
Brazil per capita chicken consumption 50 kg in 2023 projection
14
Global poultry consumption growth 1.5% in 2023, Asia leading
15
China's urban poultry consumption 20 kg/capita, rural 10 kg in 2022
16
India urban per capita poultry intake 8 kg vs rural 3 kg in FY2022
17
Mexico poultry consumption forecast 40 kg/capita by 2025
18
Japan's chicken parts consumption 15 kg/capita, whole birds declining
19
Nigeria poultry consumption 1.2 kg/capita, low but growing 10%
Interpretation
Consumption Interpretation
The planet is clucking its way toward a uniform pecking order, but America’s 2022 poultry plate, heaped with nearly a hundred pounds of chicken alongside a side of turkey, still rules the roost with insatiable, metric-defying gusto.
02 · Category
Economics20 stats
01
The global poultry market was valued at $410 billion in 2022, projected to grow to $550 billion by 2028 at CAGR 5.1%
02
US poultry industry generated $65 billion in farm cash receipts in 2022
03
Brazil's poultry exports generated $9.2 billion in revenue in 2022
04
EU poultry market size reached €25 billion in 2021, with exports at €4.5 billion
05
China's poultry industry valued at $150 billion in 2022, largest producer market
06
Global poultry feed market size was $140 billion in 2022, expected to hit $200 billion by 2030
07
US chicken export value reached $5.5 billion in 2022, to 100+ countries
08
India's poultry market projected to grow from $20 billion in 2022 to $30 billion by 2025
09
Mexico's poultry industry contributed 2.5% to national GDP in 2022
10
Thailand poultry exports earned $4.1 billion in 2022, mainly to Japan and EU
11
US chicken market revenue $100 billion retail in 2022
12
Global halal poultry market $50 billion in 2022, CAGR 6%
13
Brazil poultry export volume 5 million tons in 2023 Q1, value $2.5B
14
EU intra-trade poultry 10 million tons valued €15B in 2022
15
India's poultry exports $500 million in FY2022, to Middle East
16
Thailand chicken export price averaged $1.8/kg in 2022
17
US poultry farm gate price $1.20/lb live weight avg 2022
18
Global organic poultry market $12B in 2022, growth 8%
19
Mexico poultry self-sufficiency 95%, imports minimal
20
Poultry processing contributes $48B to US GDP annually
Interpretation
Economics Interpretation
The world is running on chicken, quite literally, as this $410 billion global flock—propelled by America's cash, Brazil's exports, China's scale, and Europe's trade—marches toward a $550 billion horizon, proving that poultry is, economically speaking, what's truly for dinner.
03 · Category
Employment19 stats
01
The US poultry industry employed 1.2 million workers directly in 2022
02
Globally, poultry sector provides jobs to 50 million people, including farming and processing
03
Brazil's poultry industry employs 1.5 million people, 4% of agricultural workforce
04
EU poultry processing employs 250,000 workers across 20 member states in 2021
05
China's poultry farms and plants employ over 10 million rural workers
06
US turkey sector supports 25,000 farm jobs and 15,000 in processing
07
India's poultry industry generates 3 million jobs, growing at 10% annually
08
Mexico's avicola sector employs 1 million people, 40% women in processing
09
Thailand poultry industry provides 800,000 jobs, key in rural economy
10
Poultry farming contributes to 20% of global animal protein workforce
11
US poultry employs 600,000 in processing plants, avg wage $18/hr
12
Brazil avicola jobs 1.8M total, 500k direct farm labor
13
Global poultry workforce 60M, 70% informal in developing countries
14
EU poultry sector 300,000 direct jobs, 1M indirect
15
China poultry processing 5M workers, automation rising
16
India contract farming poultry 2M farmers involved
17
US women 45% of poultry processing workforce
18
Mexico 1.2M avicola jobs, training programs for 100k yearly
19
Thailand 1M poultry jobs, migrant labor 20%
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
The global poultry industry stands as a mighty, feather-clad employer, supporting tens of millions from rural farms to factory floors, yet its economic might is often as overlooked as the humble chicken nugget on a dinner plate.
More related reading
04 · Category
Environment18 stats
01
US broiler production emits 1.1 kg CO2e per kg chicken meat, lower than beef's 60 kg
02
Global poultry production uses 25% less water than pork per kg protein
03
Brazil's poultry sector reduced GHG emissions by 15% per kg since 2010 via efficiency
04
EU poultry farms recycle 70% of manure as fertilizer, reducing pollution
05
China's intensive poultry systems cut land use by 80% vs extensive farming
06
US poultry processing wastewater treated to 95% nutrient removal standards
07
India's poultry waste generates biogas for 500,000 households annually
08
Mexico poultry industry deforestation impact near zero due to soy imports
09
Global poultry methane emissions 8% of livestock total, lowest among meats
10
Poultry GHG footprint 5.7 kg CO2e/kg meat globally
11
US broiler farms use 1,500 liters water/kg chicken, recycled 50%
12
Brazil soy for poultry linked to 20% Amazon deforest halt via traceability
13
EU antibiotic use in poultry down 50% since 2011
14
China poultry manure pollution reduced 30% by biogas plants
15
Global poultry land use 0.3 m2/kg meat, efficient protein
16
US poultry nitrogen surplus 20 kg/ha vs beef 100 kg/ha
17
India's poultry waste to energy 2,000 MW potential
18
Mexico poultry carbon footprint 2.5 kg CO2e/kg, improving
Interpretation
Environment Interpretation
While poultry still faces real challenges, these global statistics show it's strutting ahead of other meats in its environmental makeover, reducing its hoofprint through savvy efficiency gains, smarter recycling, and a clear path of progress.
05 · Category
Production19 stats
01
In 2022, the United States produced 9.2 billion broiler chickens, weighing approximately 44.5 billion pounds ready-to-cook
02
Global poultry meat production reached 137 million metric tons in 2022, with a growth rate of 2.5% from the previous year
03
Brazil exported 4.8 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2022, accounting for 35% of global poultry exports
04
The EU produced 13.7 million tons of poultry meat in 2021, with broilers representing 85% of total output
05
China's poultry production hit 25 million metric tons in 2022, driven by domestic demand
06
US turkey production in 2022 totaled 5.2 billion pounds, a 1.2% increase year-over-year
07
India produced 4.1 million metric tons of poultry meat in FY2022, with a CAGR of 8% over five years
08
Mexico's poultry sector produced 3.5 million metric tons in 2022, led by integrators like Bachoco
09
Russia produced 4.6 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2022 despite sanctions
10
Thailand's poultry output reached 1.8 million metric tons in 2022, focusing on export markets
11
In 2022, US chicken exports totaled 3.8 billion pounds, up 5% YoY
12
World duck meat production was 4.8 million metric tons in 2022, led by China at 70%
13
Argentina produced 450,000 metric tons of poultry in 2022
14
Vietnam's poultry output reached 1.4 million metric tons, with broilers 60%
15
Indonesia produced 3.2 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2022
16
US egg production for meat birds supported 100 million table eggs daily
17
Egypt's poultry production hit 1.6 million tons in 2022
18
Philippines broiler production 1.7 million metric tons in 2022
19
Iran's poultry meat output 2.5 million tons, self-sufficient
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
The planet's dinner plate is now overwhelmingly a poultry platter, where America's staggering 9.2-billion-chicken industrial might meets China's insatiable appetite, Brazil's export dominance, and a global flock rising relentlessly at 2.5% a year.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Meat Poultry Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/meat-poultry-industry-statistics
MLA
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Meat Poultry Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/meat-poultry-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Meat Poultry Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/meat-poultry-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
44 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level