Poultry demand in China steady increasing in 2026

Poultry demand in China steady increasing, Data from the Chinese National Statistics Bureau show that per capita poultry consumption in China increased from 8.4 kg in 2015 to 12.5 kg in 2024.

Important to note that poultry is steadily capturing market share from pork due to lower costs, dietary shifts, and a rising preference for health-conscious and convenient meal formats.

Additional reason is that the fast-food giants bet on fried chicken's appeal to urban consumers, KFC, McDonald's expansion plans fuelling poultry demand in China.

Look at this recent article from thepoultrysite

The number of franchise stores across Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui reached 24,562 in 2024, growing at an average rate of 9–18% annually over the past decade.

With Chinese taste preferences, ready-to-eat poultry products, with fried chicken's crispy texture and versatile flavors aligning well.

McDonald's plans to open 1,000 new stores in China in 2026, while KFC aims to reach a total of 17,000 stores by 2028. .... See more from thepoultrysite, here

Here’s the key demand tendency in 2026

Poultry demand in China steady increasing in 2026 which trading down to white broilers. Demand for white-feathered broilers is climbing sharply. Consumers and foodservice operators are substituting higher-priced meats with affordable white chicken cuts. In contrast, premium yellow broiler demand remains flat as consumers cut back on high-end dining.

Poultry demand in China steady increasing in 2026 promoted by institutional & convenience drivers. Rapid expansion in institutional catering (like schools and corporate cafeterias) provides a steady floor for consumption. Additionally, the explosive growth of the "single-serve" economy and "prepared dishes" (ready-to-cook meals) relies heavily on poultry products.

In major economic zones like the Yangtze River Delta, per capita poultry consumption continues its steady multi-year climb, heavily supported by modern cold-chain infrastructure and booming e-commerce. Poultry demand in China steady increasing in 2026 including regional dynamics.

Here is what is interesting.

China’s poultry sector expansion is fundamentally shifting the country's agricultural balance. Poultry has emerged as the primary growth driver for animal feed, pushing major grain feed usage to an immense 290.7 million tonnes for the MY2026/27 cycle.