Market Overview
| Study Period | 2017 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 6.5 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 7.51 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 2.95% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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India Poultry Meat Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The India Poultry Meat Market size is estimated at 6.5 billion USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 7.51 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 2.95% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The poultry industry in India is experiencing significant transformation driven by changing consumer preferences and retail modernization. The sector has witnessed substantial digital integration, with internet penetration reaching 759 million users in 2022 and 70% urban penetration, facilitating the growth of online meat delivery platforms. Traditional brick-and-mortar establishments are increasingly complemented by digital channels, as evidenced by major retailers expanding their omnichannel presence. The evolving retail landscape has prompted traditional players to adopt modern technologies and hygiene practices, particularly in meat processing and storage facilities.
The industry is witnessing a notable shift in distribution dynamics, with modern retail formats gaining prominence. Major retail developments include Lulu Hypermarket's strategic expansion plans for 12 additional large-format malls and hypermarkets across key cities like Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The retail transformation is further exemplified by Reliance Retail's acquisition of the master franchisee rights for 7-Eleven convenience stores, signaling a significant move toward organized retail in the poultry meat market. These developments are reshaping consumer access to poultry products while maintaining quality standards.
The emergence of specialized meat delivery startups has revolutionized the market landscape. FreshToHome, a prominent player in this space, has expanded its presence to 56 Indian cities with 100 stores, processing approximately 2 million orders monthly and selling close to 25,000 tonnes annually. Similarly, Zappfresh has established a strong presence in the market, handling 2,000-2,500 daily orders with an average ticket size of INR 600. These platforms have introduced innovative solutions for maintaining product quality and ensuring timely delivery, setting new standards for the poultry market size in India.
The processed poultry segment is witnessing significant innovation and product diversification. With a labor participation rate of 39.5% in 2023, there is growing demand for convenient, ready-to-cook options among the working population. The market has responded with various product offerings, as evidenced by the price range of chicken sausages varying from USD 2.44 to 7.31 per 250-300g in 2022. Companies like Suguna Foods are actively expanding their processed food portfolio, with their brand Delfrez announcing expansion plans across North, West, and South India in 2023, introducing new processed poultry and mutton products to meet evolving consumer preferences. This growth is indicative of the expanding processed poultry meat market in India.
India Poultry Meat Market Trends and Insights
Poultry production is anticipated to grow despite the hit by surging feed prices and outbreaks
- Poultry meat production observed a favorable growth rate of 30.08% between 2017 and 2022. However, the Y-o-Y growth rate in 2023 was 12.48%. The slower growth in production rate was majorly an impact of the unexpected bird flu and the rise in feed prices. Due to a shortage of supplies, the price of maize and soymeal increased by approximately 35% in 2022.
- Consumption of poultry meat is anticipated to increase as consumers are drawn not only to the competitive pricing but also to product consistency, flexibility, and higher protein/lower fat content. In general, organized and unorganized sectors contribute around 80% and 20% to the poultry industry, respectively. In India, the poultry industry is growing due to rising incomes, a fast-growing middle class, and the development of vertically integrated poultry manufacturers that have lowered consumer prices by reducing production and marketing expenses. Key factors that are expected to shape the future of the Indian poultry industry include integrated production, the market shift from live birds to refrigerated and frozen products, and policies that guarantee competitively priced supplies of corn and soybeans.
- The development of high-yield broilers (2.4 to 2.6 kg per week at six weeks of age) along with a standardized package of practices in terms of nutrition, accommodation, management, and disease prevention have led to a dramatic increase in broiler production in India (8 to 10% per year) over the past 40 years. In a market where prices are volatile, the rising feed costs are expected to potentially drive up the overall production expenses. The easy availability of nutritious poultry feeds, like maize, jawar, fish meal, and rice bran, is expected to improve the feed conversion ratio.
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Rising production costs are impacting the profitability of the industry
- The Indian poultry market prices grew by 0.96% in 2022 compared to the previous year. During the first half of 2022, chicken prices decreased as heatwave conditions across the country had a severe impact on the poultry industry, with chicken prices plunging by 50% as farmers sold off their chickens in the market due to worries that high temperatures could kill them.
- The Indian poultry industry has come a long way in the last few years in terms of brand-building and adding value to chicken meat. However, in general, around 91% of the Indian chicken meat market is still sold through the wet market and the open wholesale market in a perfectly competitive environment. In such conditions, the price is the only difference between any two products. As a result, the poultry farmer is most likely to fall prey to the competition from other producers, sell his produce at a low price, and suffer losses despite the performance efficiency. The rise in import prices due to freight, transport, labor, and associated costs resulted in a spike in poultry meat prices.
- The demand for broiler chicken exceeds the supply in the HORECA sector. Wholesale broiler chicken prices increased in the fiscal year 2022-23. Broiler meat prices ranged between USD 1.69/kg and 1.75/kg during the fiscal year 2022-23. However, the supply shortage during the fiscal year 2022-23 caused the prices of corn and soy meal (two essential chicken feeds) to increase by around 35%; it was unlikely to decline in 2023. Hence, margins are anticipated to decrease for the second consecutive year. The price rise has already compelled processors and the foodservice sector to revise the prices of chicken rolls, chicken biriyani, chicken curry, etc.
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Segment Analysis: Form
Fresh/Chilled Segment in India Poultry Meat Market
The chilled chicken market dominates the Indian poultry meat market, commanding approximately 81% market share in 2024. This significant market position is driven by Indian consumers' strong preference for fresh chicken over other forms. The segment's growth is supported by the development of cold chain infrastructure and various government initiatives through subsidy schemes and grants. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries' dedicated program for cold chain development has enabled both off-trade and on-trade distribution channels to maintain product freshness and quality. Supermarkets, convenience stores, and other distribution channels are showing increasing interest in fresh/chilled poultry products due to their perceived safety, cleanliness, and adherence to stringent labeling guidelines. The segment's dominance is further reinforced by the growing number of meat delivery companies offering fresh poultry products directly to consumers.
Processed Segment in India Poultry Meat Market
The processed chicken India segment is experiencing remarkable growth in the Indian market, projected to expand at approximately 389% CAGR during 2024-2029. This exceptional growth is driven by developments in procurement, machine slaughter, and processing technologies that have enhanced safety and efficiency standards. The segment's expansion is supported by various meat tenderization methods, including mechanical tenderization, enzymatic tenderization, and marination techniques, which improve product quality and texture. The Indian meat processing industry's adoption of automation and robotics technologies is significantly contributing to improved efficiency, productivity, and hygiene standards. The segment's growth is further accelerated by the increasing consumer demand for convenient, ready-to-eat poultry products, particularly in urban areas.
Remaining Segments in Form
The frozen and canned segments play important complementary roles in the Indian poultry meat market. The frozen segment offers extended shelf life and convenience, particularly beneficial for retail chains and food service operators. It is supported by the government's initiatives to develop temperature-controlled logistics facilities and cold storage infrastructure. The canned segment, while smaller, serves specific market needs with products like canned chicken curry and chicken chunks, known for their longer shelf life and convenience. Both segments are seeing increased adoption in urban areas where modern retail formats and changing consumer lifestyles are driving demand for convenient poultry products.
Segment Analysis: Distribution Channel
On-Trade Segment in India Poultry Meat Market
The on-trade segment continues to dominate the India poultry meat market, commanding approximately 56% market share in 2024. This significant market position is primarily driven by the expanding quick-service restaurant chains and food service establishments across the country. The segment's growth is supported by the increasing appeal of meat consumption in restaurants and the widening choice for on-the-go food service among consumers in the region. Major quick-service restaurant chains have observed a notable spike in chicken products market sales, with items like chicken burgers and chicken buckets accounting for a substantial portion of their revenue. Food service channels have also expanded their menu offerings to include a wider range of chicken varieties, catering to diverse consumer preferences and contributing to the segment's market leadership.
Off-Trade Segment in India Poultry Meat Market
The off-trade segment is projected to exhibit the strongest growth trajectory in the India poultry meat market, with an expected CAGR of approximately 4% during 2024-2029. This growth is primarily fueled by the rapid expansion of modern retail formats and the increasing adoption of online meat delivery platforms. The segment's growth is further accelerated by the development of supermarkets and shopping malls equipped with cold storage facilities, supporting the retail distribution of frozen poultry products. The emergence of specialized meat delivery startups and the expansion of established retail chains' refrigerated sections are creating new avenues for market growth. Additionally, the increasing penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity is boosting online meat sales, while convenience stores are expanding their presence in residential areas and business districts, offering extended operating hours to cater to consumer demands.
Competitive Landscape
Top Companies in India Poultry Meat Market
The leading poultry companies in India poultry meat market are characterized by companies focusing on product innovation and operational excellence to maintain their competitive edge. Companies are actively expanding their product portfolios with ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook offerings, while also investing in automated processing facilities to improve efficiency and maintain quality standards. Strategic partnerships with international players have enabled domestic companies to access advanced technologies and processing capabilities. Market leaders are strengthening their distribution networks through both traditional retail channels and modern trade formats, while simultaneously developing direct-to-consumer platforms. Companies are also investing heavily in cold chain infrastructure and implementing stringent quality control measures throughout their supply chains. The industry has witnessed significant investment in research and development, particularly in areas of breeding, feed production, and value-added processing technologies.
Local Players Dominate Fragmented Market Structure
The Indian poultry meat market exhibits a highly fragmented structure with a mix of organized and unorganized players, though dominated by domestic companies. Local players like Suguna Foods, Sneha Farms, and VH Group have established strong market positions through their integrated operations spanning breeding, feed production, processing, and distribution. These companies have built extensive networks of contract farmers and have invested in modern processing facilities to maintain quality standards and meet growing consumer demands. The market has also attracted international players like Tyson Foods, who have entered through joint ventures with established local companies to leverage existing distribution networks and market knowledge.
The industry structure is evolving from traditional farming operations to integrated business models, with leading players expanding across the value chain. While there is limited merger and acquisition activity in the sector, strategic partnerships and joint ventures are common, particularly for technology transfer and market access. Large domestic conglomerates like ITC and Godrej have entered the market through their food processing divisions, bringing professional management practices and modern retail concepts. The market also sees significant participation from regional players who maintain strong positions in their respective geographical areas through local brand recognition and established distribution networks.
Innovation and Distribution Key to Growth
Success in the Indian poultry meat market increasingly depends on companies' ability to innovate in product development and strengthen their distribution capabilities. Market leaders are focusing on developing value-added products that cater to changing consumer preferences, particularly in urban areas where demand for convenient, ready-to-cook options is growing. Companies are investing in modern retail formats and e-commerce platforms to expand their reach while maintaining traditional distribution channels. Building strong cold chain infrastructure and implementing food safety measures have become critical factors for maintaining market position and gaining consumer trust.
For new entrants and smaller players, success lies in identifying and serving niche market segments while building a strong regional presence before expanding nationally. Companies need to focus on developing efficient supply chains and maintaining consistent quality standards to compete effectively. The regulatory environment is becoming more stringent regarding food safety and quality standards, making compliance a key factor for sustainable growth. Players must also address the growing consumer awareness regarding food safety and hygiene, while managing potential risks from disease outbreaks and feed cost fluctuations. Building strong relationships with contract farmers and investing in backward integration are becoming increasingly important for maintaining supply chain stability and cost competitiveness.
India Poultry Meat Industry Leaders
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Skylark Hatcheries Private Limited
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Sneha Farms Pvt. Ltd.
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Suguna Foods Private Limited
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Tyson Foods Inc.
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VH Group
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments
- January 2023: Suguna Foods' brand Delfrez which offers processed poultry and mutton products is set to foray into select cities across North, West, and the rest of South India in 2023.
- December 2022: Suguna Foods Private Limited announced their official partnership with Kerala Blasters FC in Indian Super League Football aiming to build awareness for the brand and engage with target audience through various campaigns.
- October 2022: Delfrez, processed food division from Suguna Foods, opened its chain of outlets in Thane & Navi Mumbai. The store offers rich and hygiene friendly processed meat option for customers.
India Poultry Meat Market Report Scope
Canned, Fresh / Chilled, Frozen, Processed are covered as segments by Form. Off-Trade, On-Trade are covered as segments by Distribution Channel.
Form
| Canned | ||
| Fresh / Chilled | ||
| Frozen | ||
| Processed | By Processed Types | Deli Meats |
| Marinated/ Tenders | ||
| Meatballs | ||
| Nuggets | ||
| Sausages | ||
| Other Processed Poultry | ||
Distribution Channel
| Off-Trade | Convenience Stores |
| Online Channel | |
| Supermarkets and Hypermarkets | |
| Others | |
| On-Trade |
| Form | Canned | ||
| Fresh / Chilled | |||
| Frozen | |||
| Processed | By Processed Types | Deli Meats | |
| Marinated/ Tenders | |||
| Meatballs | |||
| Nuggets | |||
| Sausages | |||
| Other Processed Poultry | |||
| Distribution Channel | Off-Trade | Convenience Stores | |
| Online Channel | |||
| Supermarkets and Hypermarkets | |||
| Others | |||
| On-Trade | |||
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Market Definition
- Meat - Meat is defined as the flesh or other edible parts of an animal used for food. The end use of the meat industry consists of only human consumption. Meat is generally purchased from retail outlets for home cooking and consumption. For the market studied, only uncooked meat has been considered. This could be processed in various forms, which have been covered under the “Processed” form. The other purchases of meat happen through the consumption of meat at foodservice outlets (restaurants, hotels, catering, etc.).
- Other Meats - The other meat segment includes the meat of camel, horse, rabbit, etc. These are not so commonly consumed meat types but still, have a presence in distinct parts of the world. Regardless of it being part of red meat, we have considered these meat types separately for a better understanding of the market.
- Poultry Meat - Poultry meat also called white meat, comes from birds raised commercially or domestically for human consumption. This includes chicken, turkey, ducks, and geese.
- Red Meat - Red meat typically has a red color when raw and a dark color when cooked. It includes any meat that comes from mammals, such as beef, lamb, pork, goat, veal, and mutton.
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| A5 | It is a Japanese grading system for beef. The 'A' means the carcass yield is the highest possible and the numeric rating relates to beef marbling, color and brightness of the flesh, its texture and color, luster, and fat quality. A5 is the highest mark wagyu beef can score. |
| Abbatoir | It is another name for a slaughterhouse and refers to the premise used for or in connection with the slaughter of animals whose meat is intended for human consumption. |
| Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) | It is a disease that affects shrimp and is characterized by high mortalities, in many cases reaching 100% within 30-35 days of stocking grow-out ponds. |
| African Swine Fever (ASF) | It is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs caused by a double-stranded DNA virus in the Asfarviridae family. |
| Albacore Tuna | It is one of the smallest species of tuna found in the six distinct stocks known globally in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. |
| Angus beef | It is beef derived from a specific breed of cattle indigenous to Scotland. It requires certification from the American Angus Association to receive the "Certified Angus Beef" quality mark |
| Bacon | It is salted or smoked meat that comes from the back or sides of a pig |
| Black Angus | It is beef derived from a black-hided breed of cows that don't have horns. |
| Bologna | It is an Italian smoked sausage made of meat, typically large and made from pork, beef or veal. |
| Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) | It is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that results from infection by an unusual transmissible agent called a prion. |
| Bratwurst | It refers to a type of German sausage made from pork, beef or veal. |
| BRC | British Retail Consortium |
| Brisket | It is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef or veal. The beef brisket is one of the nine beef primal cuts. |
| Broiler | It refers to any chicken (Gallus domesticus) that is bred and raised specifically for meat production. |
| Bushel | It is a unit of measurement for grains and pulses. 1 bushel = 27.216 kg |
| Carcass | It refers to the dressed body of a meat animal from which butchers trim the meat |
| CFIA | Canadian Food Inspection Agency |
| Chicken Tender | It refers to chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of a chicken bird. |
| Chuck Steak | It refers to a cut of beef that is part of the chuck primal, which is a large section of meat from the shoulder area of a cow |
| Corned Beef | It refers to beef brisket cured in brine and boiled, typically served cold. |
| CWT | Also known as a hundredweight, it is a unit of measurement used to define the quantity of meat. 1 CWT = 50.80 kg |
| Drumstick | It refers to a chicken leg without the thigh. |
| EFSA | European Food Safety Authority |
| ERS | Economic Research Service of the USDA |
| Ewe | It is an adult female sheep. |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| Fillet Mignon | It is a cut of meat taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin. |
| Flank Steak | It is a cut of beef steak taken from the flank, which lies forward of the rear quarter of a cow. |
| Foodservice | It refers to the part of the food industry which includes businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats. |
| Forage | It refers to animal feed. |
| Foreshank | It is the upper part of the foreleg of cattle |
| Franks | Also known as frankfurter or Würstchen, it is a type of highly seasoned smoked sausage popular in Austria and Germany. |
| FSANZ | Food Standards Australia New Zealand |
| FSIS | Food Safety and Inspection Service |
| FSSAI | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India |
| Gizzard | It refers to an organ found in the digestive tract of birds. It is also called the mechanical stomach of a bird. |
| Gluten | It is a family of proteins found in grains, including wheat, rye, spelt, and barley |
| Grain-fed beef | It is beef derived from cattle that have been fed a diet supplemented with soy and corn and other additives. Grainfed cows can also be given antibiotics and growth hormones to fatten them up more quickly. |
| Grass-fed beef | It is beef derived from cattle that have only been fed grass as feed. |
| Ham | It refers to the pork meat taken from the leg of a pig. |
| HoReCa | Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes |
| Jerky | It is lean trimmed meat that has been cut into strips and dried (dehydrated) to prevent spoilage. |
| Kobe Beef | It is Wagyu beef specifically from the Kuroge Washu breed of cows in Japan. To be classified as Kobe beef, the cow must have been born, raised, and slaughtered within the Hyōgo prefecture in the city of Kobe in Japan. |
| Liverwurst | It is type of German sausage made from beef or pork liver. |
| Loin | It refers to the sides between the lower ribs and pelvis, and the lower part of the back of a cow. |
| Mortadella | It is a large Italian sausage or luncheon meat made of finely hashed or ground heat-cured pork, which incorporates at least 15% small cubes of pork fat. |
| Pastrami | It refers to a highly seasoned smoked beef, typically served in thin slices. |
| Pepperoni | It is an American variety of spicy salami made from cured meat. |
| Plate | It refers to a forequarter cut from the belly of a cow, just below the rib cut. |
| Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) | It is a disease occurring in swine causing late-term reproductive failure and severe pneumonia in neonatal pigs. |
| Primal cuts | It refers to the major sections of the carcass. |
| Quorn | It is a meat substitute product prepared using mycoprotein as an ingredient, in which the fungus culture is dried and mixed with egg albumen or potato protein, which acts as a binder, and then is adjusted in texture and pressed into various forms. |
| Ready-to-Cook (RTC) | It refers to food products that include all of the ingredients, where some preparation or cooking is required through a process that is given on the package. |
| Ready-to-Eat (RTE) | It refers to a food product prepared or cooked in advance, with no further cooking or preparation required before being eaten |
| Retort Packaging | It is a process of aseptic packaging food in which food is filled into a pouch or metal can, sealed, and then heated to extremely high temperatures, rendering the product commercially sterile. |
| Round Steak | It refers to a beef steak from the the rear leg of the cow. |
| Rump Steak | It refers to a cut of beef derived from the division between the leg and the chine. |
| Salami | It is a cured sausage consisting of fermented and air-dried meat. |
| Saturated fat | It is a type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all single bonds. It is generally considered unhealthy. |
| Sausage | It is a meat product made of finely chopped and seasoned meat, which may be fresh, smoked, or pickled and which is then usually stuffed into a casing. |
| Scallop | It is an edible shellfish that is a mollusk with a ribbed shell in two parts. |
| Seitan | It is a plant-based meat substitute made out of wheat gluten. |
| Self-service kios | It refers to a self-order point-of-sale (POS) system through which customers place and pay for their own orders at kiosks, enabling totally contactless and frictionless service. |
| Sirloin | It is a cut of beef from the bottom and side parts of a cow's back. |
| Surimi | It is a paste made from deboned fish |
| Tenderloin | It refers to a cut of beef consisting of the entire tenderloin muscle of a cow |
| Tiger Shrimp | It refers to a large shrimp variety from the Indian and Pacific oceans |
| Trans fat | Also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, it is a type of unsaturated fat that naturally occurs in small amounts in meat. |
| Vannamei shrimp | It refers to tropical prawns and shrimp that are farmed in areas near the equator, generally along the coast in artificial ponds. |
| Wagyu Bee | It is beef derived from any of four strains of a breed of black or red Japanese cattle that are valued for their highly marbled meat. |
| Zoosanitary | It refers to the cleanliness of animals or animal product |
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Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step 1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set, and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables, and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms.
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