Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market Trends & Industry Outlook (2025–2033)

Saudi Arabia’s poultry meat industry has become a cornerstone of the country’s food sector, driven by a rapidly growing population and increasing demand for affordable protein sources. As dietary habits evolve and urban lifestyles become more fast-paced, poultry products have gained popularity due to their convenience, affordability, and nutritional value.

According to Renub Research, the Saudi Arabia poultry meat market was valued at US$ 4.75 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 5.62 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.90% between 2025 and 2033.

The growth of the market is supported by factors such as urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, the expansion of modern food retail, and rising demand for halal-certified poultry products. Additionally, government initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic food production and improving food security are playing a crucial role in shaping the industry’s future.

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As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in advanced agricultural technologies and poultry farming infrastructure, the market is expected to maintain steady growth in the coming years.

Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Industry Overview

Poultry meat has become one of the most widely consumed animal proteins in Saudi Arabia due to its affordability and versatility in cooking. Compared with red meat, poultry products are generally less expensive, making them a preferred choice for households across the country.

Saudi Arabia is currently the largest poultry consumer in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and the market continues to expand as consumer demand grows.

Urbanization has significantly influenced poultry consumption patterns. As more people migrate to cities and adopt busy lifestyles, demand for processed and ready-to-cook poultry products has increased. Items such as marinated chicken cuts, nuggets, sausages, and deli meats have become popular choices among consumers seeking convenience.

The expansion of restaurants, fast-food chains, and food delivery services has also contributed to rising poultry consumption. Chicken-based menu items are widely offered across the foodservice industry, further boosting demand.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has significantly increased domestic poultry production to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen national food security.

Halal certification remains a fundamental aspect of the Saudi poultry market. Since the majority of the population follows Islamic dietary guidelines, poultry products must comply with strict halal processing standards. This requirement ensures that the industry aligns with the cultural and religious preferences of consumers.

As consumer awareness regarding food safety and product quality continues to grow, poultry producers are adopting modern processing technologies and improved packaging methods to meet evolving expectations.

Increasing Domestic Production and Government Support

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the leading poultry producer in the Middle East. In 2022, the country accounted for approximately 71% of the region’s poultry production, highlighting its dominance in the regional market.

Between 2017 and 2022, poultry production increased by nearly 73.85%, demonstrating the rapid expansion of the industry.

Domestic production has also increased significantly over the years. In 2016, only around 45% of poultry meat consumed in Saudi Arabia was produced locally, but by 2022 domestic production had risen to approximately 68% of total consumption.

Improved poultry farming practices have contributed to higher productivity levels. Enhanced disease management and improved breeding techniques have reduced poultry mortality rates by approximately 8% over the past five years, helping farmers increase production efficiency.

Government support has been instrumental in accelerating the growth of the poultry industry. Programs offering interest-free loans, financial incentives, and equipment subsidies have encouraged investments in modern poultry farms and advanced processing facilities.

International partnerships are also helping expand production capacity. In 2022, Ukrainian company MHP SE signed a memorandum of agreement with Tanmiah Food Company to increase domestic chicken production in the Kingdom.

Similarly, Brazilian food company BRF established a joint venture in Saudi Arabia in 2023 to strengthen halal poultry production and support the country’s self-sufficiency goals.

Regulatory bodies such as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) continue to promote domestic production through regulatory oversight and financial incentives.

The Saudi government plans to offer up to US$ 187 million annually in incentives to support the poultry sector.

Under the Vision 2030 strategy, Saudi Arabia aims to significantly increase domestic poultry production, with projections suggesting an 80% increase in production by 2025 and a potential doubling by 2030.

Growth Drivers in the Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market

Government Initiatives and Food Security

Ensuring national food security is a key priority for Saudi Arabia. The government has launched several initiatives to reduce dependence on imported poultry and strengthen local agricultural production.

These initiatives include investments in poultry farming infrastructure, research programs, and technological innovations aimed at improving production efficiency.

Modern processing facilities and improved supply chain systems enable local producers to meet the growing demand for poultry products while maintaining high quality standards.

Such government support helps stabilize poultry prices and ensures a consistent supply of protein-rich food products for consumers across the country.

Halal Certification and Cultural Alignment

Halal certification is a critical requirement in Saudi Arabia’s poultry industry. Poultry producers must follow strict Islamic guidelines during slaughtering and processing to ensure that products are halal-compliant.

Consumers place strong trust in halal-certified poultry products, which reinforces demand for certified brands.

Maintaining halal certification not only strengthens domestic consumer confidence but also opens opportunities for exports to international halal food markets.

Producers that comply with halal standards gain competitive advantages in both local and global markets.

Expansion of Retail and Foodservice Industries

The rapid expansion of modern retail infrastructure has significantly improved the availability of poultry products across Saudi Arabia.

Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores now offer a wide variety of poultry items, ranging from fresh and chilled chicken to frozen and processed products.

The foodservice sector has also experienced rapid growth, with increasing numbers of restaurants, cafes, and fast-food chains opening across major cities.

Food delivery platforms have further accelerated demand for poultry products, particularly among younger consumers.

These developments provide poultry producers with opportunities to diversify their product offerings and reach a broader consumer base.

Challenges in the Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market

Increasing Market Competition

As the domestic poultry industry expands, competition among producers is intensifying. More companies are entering the market to capitalize on growing demand for poultry products.

This increased competition often leads to price wars, which can reduce profit margins for producers.

Imported poultry products from countries with lower production costs also create additional competitive pressure for local companies.

To maintain market share, producers must focus on improving product quality, enhancing efficiency, and introducing innovative product offerings.

Changing Consumer Preferences Toward Healthier Diets

Health consciousness among Saudi consumers is gradually influencing dietary habits. Some consumers are exploring alternative protein sources such as plant-based products or leaner meats.

Although poultry remains a popular protein source, producers may need to adapt by offering healthier product options such as organic poultry, antibiotic-free chicken, or low-fat processed products.

Product diversification will be essential for maintaining long-term market growth.

Rising Production Costs

The poultry industry in Saudi Arabia has also been affected by rising production costs. Between 2017 and 2022, poultry meat prices increased by approximately 7.84%, mainly due to higher feed import costs.

Feed ingredients are often imported from countries such as France and Brazil, making producers vulnerable to global price fluctuations.

By 2022, poultry prices had reached approximately US$ 3,426 per ton.

Energy price increases have also contributed to higher production expenses. Diesel prices rose by about 21%, increasing transportation and operational costs for poultry farms and processing facilities.

As a result, poultry producers have slightly increased retail prices. For example, the price of a 1,000-gram chicken increased from about US$ 3.8 to approximately US$ 4.0.

Market Segmentation

The Saudi Arabia poultry meat market is segmented based on product type, form, and distribution channels.

By type, the market includes chicken, turkey, duck, and other poultry varieties. Among these, chicken remains the most widely consumed category due to its affordability and versatility.

Based on form, poultry products are categorized into canned, fresh or chilled, frozen, and processed varieties such as deli meats, nuggets, sausages, meatballs, and marinated poultry.

Distribution channels include convenience stores, online platforms, supermarkets and hypermarkets, and other retail outlets.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets currently dominate poultry distribution due to their ability to offer a wide variety of fresh and packaged products in a single location.

However, online grocery platforms are gradually gaining popularity as consumers increasingly adopt digital shopping habits.

Competitive Landscape

Several major companies operate within the Saudi Arabia poultry meat market, contributing to industry growth through production expansion and strategic investments.

Key players include Al-Watania Poultry, Almarai Food Company, Almunajem Foods, Americana Group, BRF S.A., Golden Chicken Farm Factory Company CJSC, Sunbulah Group, Tanmiah Food Company, and The Savola Group.

These companies are investing in advanced poultry farming technologies, expanding production capacity, and strengthening distribution networks to meet rising consumer demand.

Final Thoughts

Saudi Arabia’s poultry meat market is expected to experience steady growth as demand for affordable protein products continues to rise.

With the market projected to expand from US$ 4.75 billion in 2024 to US$ 5.62 billion by 2033, government support, halal certification requirements, and the expansion of retail and foodservice sectors will remain key drivers of industry growth.

Although challenges such as rising production costs and increasing competition persist, continued investment in modern poultry farming technologies and supply chain improvements is expected to support the long-term development of Saudi Arabia’s poultry meat industry.