Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030

Saudi Arabia Poultry Market Analysis

The Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market size is estimated at 5.14 billion USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 5.62 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 1.79% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

The Saudi Arabian poultry market is experiencing significant digital transformation, driven by rapidly evolving consumer preferences and technological adoption. The country's remarkable internet penetration rate of 97.9% in 2022 has revolutionized how consumers purchase poultry meat products, with online platforms becoming increasingly prevalent. This digital shift is particularly evident during festive seasons like Ramadan, where studies show that 76% of consumers are more likely to purchase frozen poultry meat through digital channels. The expansion of e-commerce infrastructure has led to the establishment of 36,447 online stores in 2021, representing a 69.25% increase from 2018, creating a robust digital ecosystem for poultry market distribution.

The market is witnessing a significant transformation in its production and supply chain dynamics, with a strong focus on domestic self-sufficiency. Domestic production reached a milestone of 0.91 million tonnes in 2022, demonstrating the country's progress toward reducing import dependency. The chicken industry has implemented advanced cold chain infrastructure and modernized processing facilities, enabling better inventory management and product quality control. This development has created a price advantage for consumers, with frozen chicken in Saudi Arabia being 6.31% cheaper than fresh alternatives in 2023, making quality protein more accessible to the general population.

Changing workforce demographics and evolving consumption patterns are reshaping the market landscape. With 14.59 million people employed in 2022 and women's workforce participation reaching 18.89% (up from 16.6% in 2019), there is a growing demand for convenient, ready-to-cook chicken market products. The rise in dual-income households has led to increased adoption of processed and value-added poultry meat products, particularly in urban areas. This shift has prompted manufacturers to innovate their product offerings, introducing new varieties of marinated, pre-cut, and ready-to-cook options to cater to time-constrained consumers.

The distribution landscape is evolving with the integration of traditional and modern retail channels. The market has witnessed the emergence of hybrid retail models, combining physical stores with digital platforms to enhance customer convenience. With 34.84 million internet users in 2022, retailers are investing in omnichannel strategies, implementing digital payment solutions, and developing user-friendly mobile applications. This transformation has led to the development of sophisticated delivery networks, temperature-controlled logistics solutions, and real-time inventory management systems, ensuring product freshness and availability across various distribution channels.

Saudi Arabia Poultry Market Trends

The production in the country is expected to be boosted as a part of Vision 2030

• Saudi Arabia is the largest producer of poultry meat in the Middle East, accounting for around 71% of the region's poultry production in 2022. Poultry meat production gradually increased by 73.85% from 2017 to 2022. Saudi Arabia's self-sufficiency in chicken meat climbed from 45% in 2016 to 68% in 2022.
• The mortality rate of chicken meat has declined in the past five years by around 8%, leading to an increase in the production rate in poultry farms in Saudi Arabia. Government intervention in production support, interest-free loans, and rebates on poultry equipment has reduced overall production costs, thus increasing the number of poultry farms across the country. Owing to these factors, various international manufacturers are investing in the country. For instance, in 2022, local poultry company Tanmiah Food Company and MHP SE of Ukraine entered into a new memorandum of understanding, which offered the potential to help raise the contribution of domestic poultry production to the Kingdom’s overall consumption. Similarly, in 2023, Brazil-based BRF launched a new joint venture in Saudi Arabia through one of its subsidiaries to meet the country's aim of halal chicken production.
• The production of poultry meat is anticipated to increase because of the initiatives taken by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). The ministry aims to provide various incentives up to USD 187 million annually. Under Vision 2030, the government encourages foreign companies to invest in poultry farms with 100% ownership of local farms. Through this move, production is expected to increase by 80% in 2025 and 100% in 2030. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority restricts the export and import of poultry meat to boost local production.

Poultry prices saw a hike to compensate for the rise in production costs

• The prices of poultry meat increased by 7.84% from 2017 to 2022 in Saudi Arabia. Poultry meat is one of the most consumed animal proteins in Saudi Arabia. In 2022, prices increased to USD 3,426 per ton, mainly due to increased dependency on poultry feed from other countries like Brazil and France. Almost 80% of the poultry meat is currently produced by 12 businesses, including three major firms and seven medium-sized firms. National Company, the biggest meat producer in the region, accounts for one-third of domestic production, followed by Fakeeh and Almarai.
• In January 2022, national poultry companies increased the price of their products by USD 0.1 per chicken, making a 1,000-gram chicken cost around USD 4 instead of around USD 3.8. The high cost of production is cited as one of the main justifications for the decision to raise prices, along with the rise in fuel costs following Saudi Aramco's decision to increase the price of diesel by 21%, making a liter cost around USD 16.7 as opposed to USD 13.80.
• An increase in the demand for low-cost protein sources like poultry meat, along with increases in population and per capita consumption, are key drivers for the rise in prices and production. The government's Vision 2030 aims to achieve 80% self-sufficiency in the poultry sector by providing subsidies for animal feed, interest-free loans, rebates on the purchase of specific poultry equipment, protection against imports of low-priced finished goods from neighboring countries, breeding farms, hatcheries, grow-out farms, and processing facilities. These localized factors are expected to help maintain prices sustainably and achieve self-sufficiency.

Segment Analysis: Form

Fresh/Chilled Segment in Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market

The fresh chicken in Saudi Arabia segment dominates the Saudi Arabian market, commanding approximately 53% of the total market value in 2024. This significant market share is primarily driven by consumer preferences for fresh meat products, which are perceived as higher-quality options. The segment's dominance is further strengthened by the country's increasing domestic production capabilities and the presence of well-established local poultry farms. The relaxation of trade restrictions and improvements in cold chain infrastructure have also contributed to better availability of fresh chicken in Saudi Arabia across the country. Additionally, the segment benefits from strong support through traditional retail channels and butcher shops, where consumers can personally select their preferred cuts of fresh poultry meat.

Canned Segment in Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market

The canned poultry segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the Saudi Arabian poultry meat market, projected to grow at approximately 2% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. This growth is primarily driven by increasing demand for convenient, long-shelf-life protein options among urban consumers. The segment's expansion is supported by innovations in packaging technology and the introduction of various flavored and ready-to-eat canned poultry products. The growth is further accelerated by the rising number of working professionals and students seeking convenient meal solutions. Additionally, the segment benefits from extensive distribution networks, particularly through modern retail channels and online platforms, making these products easily accessible to consumers across the country.

Remaining Segments in Form Segmentation

The frozen chicken in Saudi Arabia and processed segments play crucial roles in completing the Saudi Arabian poultry meat market portfolio. The frozen segment serves as a vital component in food service operations and retail channels, offering convenience and longer shelf life compared to fresh products. Meanwhile, the processed segment, which includes various value-added products like nuggets, sausages, and marinated items, caters to the evolving consumer preferences for ready-to-cook and convenient meal solutions. Both segments benefit from ongoing improvements in cold chain infrastructure and the increasing adoption of modern retail formats across the country. These segments are particularly important in urban areas where busy lifestyles drive demand for convenient protein options.

Segment Analysis: Distribution Channel

Off-Trade Segment in Saudi Arabia Poultry Meat Market

The off-trade segment dominates the Saudi Arabia poultry meat market, commanding approximately 53% market share in 2024, while also emerging as the fastest-growing distribution channel with a projected growth rate of around 2% during 2024-2029. This segment's prominence is primarily driven by the expanding retail infrastructure and the increasing adoption of modern trade formats across the country. Supermarkets and hypermarkets account for about 60% of off-trade sales, offering dedicated sections for fresh/chilled meat and an innovative range of frozen/processed poultry products at competitive prices. The segment's growth is further accelerated by the rapid expansion of e-commerce platforms, with online channels witnessing significant traction as more than 53% of consumers purchase frozen chicken in Saudi Arabia at least once a month. The increasing internet penetration rate, which reached over 97.9% in 2022, coupled with the convenience of home delivery and wider product selection, continues to strengthen the off-trade channel's market position.

Remaining Segments in Distribution Channel

The on-trade distribution channel represents a significant portion of the Saudi Arabian poultry meat market, primarily serving the foodservice sector, including restaurants, hotels, catering services, and institutional customers. This segment is particularly strong in fresh poultry meat distribution, with hotels, restaurants, and foodservice operators being the primary consumers. The channel's performance is closely tied to the country's growing tourism sector, religious pilgrimages, and the expanding food service industry. The segment has shown remarkable resilience and adaptation to changing market conditions by incorporating various formats of poultry products, from fresh and frozen to processed varieties, catering to diverse customer preferences and dietary requirements. The channel's growth is supported by the increasing number of restaurants, hotels, and food service establishments across major cities in Saudi Arabia.

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