With the tide of economic globalization, food trade has been increasingly booming. Imported chicken has gradually entered people's horizons and has become an important part of China's meat market. Understanding the relevant information about imported chicken is of great significance to consumers, practitioners, and the entire market. According to the China Food Exhibition, in terms of import volume, China's chicken import volume reached 976,900 tons in 2024. Since 2020, the import volume has fallen below the 1 - million - ton mark for the first time. This is mainly due to the continuous increase in domestic production, the strengthening of the domestic circulation of chicken, and the relatively low price of domestic chicken throughout the year.

Sources and Market Share of Imported Chicken

In terms of import sources and market share, there were 10 countries that supplied chicken to China in 2024. The top suppliers, in descending order of market share, were Brazil, Russia, Thailand, the United States, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Chile, Panama, and Finland. Among them, the countries with a share of over 10% were Brazil, Russia, Thailand, and the United States. Brazil's import volume was 558,500 tons, accounting for 57.17% of the total. With its large - scale breeding and mature export system, Brazil held the largest share in China's imported chicken market. Russia's import volume was 128,600 tons, accounting for 13.16%; Thailand's import volume was 118,400 tons, accounting for 12.12%; and the United States' import volume was 105,100 tons, accounting for 10.75%.

The proportion of import sources varied from month to month. In the first half of 2024, China imported 261,500 tons of chicken products from Brazil, which accounted for 57.86% of the total chicken imports in the first half of the year. However, in October, Brazil's share of China's total chicken imports dropped to 48.37%, marking the first time that its share had fallen below 50% for two consecutive months. The United States, affected by factors such as avian influenza, saw its chicken import volume drop below 20% for two consecutive months. The import volume from the United States in January - February 2024 decreased significantly year - on - year. These countries, with their respective production advantages and geographical locations, jointly form the supply pattern of China's imported chicken.

Current Status and Trends of the Imported Chicken Market

In terms of market status, imported chicken is widely used in the catering industry. Many fast - food restaurants and chain restaurants often purchase imported chicken raw materials because of their stable supply and relatively low prices, which helps companies control costs and ensure the stability of dish prices. In the retail market, many consumers also choose imported chicken because its standardized production process makes consumers believe that the product quality is more reliable.

Imported chicken has many advantages. In terms of quality, advanced breeding technology and strict quality supervision systems abroad make the chicken of high quality, with tender meat and rich nutrition. In terms of supply stability, multiple import - source countries can meet domestic market demand at different times, avoiding supply shortages caused by domestic production fluctuations. However, imported chicken also faces challenges. Changes in international political and economic situations, such as trade frictions and exchange rate fluctuations, can affect import costs and supply stability. In addition, consumers' preferences for domestic chicken and their concerns about the safety of imported chicken also limit the market expansion of imported chicken to a certain extent.

Looking to the future, with the continuous growth of domestic market demand and changes in the international trade environment, the imported chicken market will continue to evolve. Relevant enterprises need to closely monitor market dynamics, strengthen cooperation with suppliers, and optimize supply chain management to cope with potential risks. At the same time, increasing the publicity of the quality and safety of imported chicken and enhancing consumer trust is also the key to further expanding the market. There are opportunities and challenges for imported chicken in the Chinese market. Only by seizing opportunities and meeting challenges can it develop steadily in the market.

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Source: World Foods

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