Global poultry quarterly Q1 2026: Another bullish year for poultry, but with more market volatility

The outlook for the global poultry industry remains strong for 2026, with another year of robust growth of around 2.5%, following three consecutive years of approximately 3% growth globally. Growth in poultry consumption is driven by factors such as limited cultural restrictions on poultry consumption compared to other proteins, stronger economic conditions in key growth markets such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America, competitive pricing – especially in the current period of low beef and egg supply, and consumer trends favoring convenience, variety, and health. The recent rapid increase in the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight reduction might also boost chicken consumption, as is it a part of recommended diets.

Poultry industries in most countries have experienced strong market conditions, and many countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia still have a good outlook. Optimistic production growth in Europe, and longer-term growth in the US, India, and China, highlights how quickly market conditions can change when the industry decides to expand production under bullish conditions. In these countries there is an increasing need to rebalance markets via slower production growth.

Operational excellence should again be a major focus area in 2026, particularly in a context where volatility remains a risk. The global feed price outlook is positive for poultry producers, with limited upside in prices. However, as we are still in the early season for Northern Hemisphere crop production, conditions could change. The main drivers of volatility will continue to be geopolitics and avian influenza. The current high-pressure avian influenza situation in the Northern Hemisphere should serve as a wake-up call for producers, as it could significantly impact local production and trade if the virus continues to spread during the winter season. Geopolitics is another major disruptive factor to watch, with potential impacts on markets similar to those seen last year – especially if new trade agreements are signed or there is a possible peace agreement in Ukraine which could lead to rebuilding local industries with better international market access. Other issues to monitor include labor availability, rapid adoption of smart technology (including artificial intelligence), and rising industry investments.

Global trade is expected to grow by 1.5%-2%, which is below overall poultry market growth. This reflects a continued shift towards food security-driven policies, with governments focusing more on local-to-local production and less on trade. Brazil and China are well positioned to gain further market share but should expect ongoing volatility driven by geopolitics and avian influenza. Potential disruptors include US trade agreements and an EU-Mercosur deal.