United Kingdom Poultry Meat Market Size and Share

United Kingdom Poultry Meat Market (2025 - 2030)
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United Kingdom Poultry Meat Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The United Kingdom poultry meat market was valued at USD 4.66 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 4.81 billion by 2030, reflecting a modest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.64% during the forecast period. While the overall growth rate is slow, the market is undergoing notable transformations due to several factors. These include the growing demand for premium poultry products, rising production costs, and stricter regulatory requirements, all of which are influencing the profitability of both large-scale producers and smaller specialty businesses. By species, chicken remains the most widely consumed poultry meat in the United Kingdom. However, turkey is gaining traction among health-conscious consumers due to its lower fat content and perceived health benefits. In terms of product form, fresh poultry products dominate the market, as consumers prefer them for their quality and versatility. At the same time, processed poultry products are seeing growth, driven by innovation and the convenience they offer to busy consumers. When considering the nature of poultry products, conventional options continue to hold a stable market share. However, organic poultry is experiencing faster growth, as consumers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for products perceived as healthier and more sustainable. Regarding distribution channels, off-trade sales, such as those through supermarkets and retail stores, remain the largest segment. Meanwhile, on-trade channels, including restaurants and food services, are gradually recovering as dining out becomes more popular post-pandemic. The market is also witnessing consolidation, with larger integrated companies gaining an advantage. 

Key Report Takeaways

  • By species, chicken dominated with 85.88% of the United Kingdom poultry meat market share in 2024; turkey is forecast to grow at a 1.59% CAGR through 2030.
  • By form, fresh and chilled items captured 47.65% share of the United Kingdom poultry meat market size in 2024, while processed products are projected to advance at a 1.25% CAGR to 2030.
  • By nature, conventional poultry accounted for 87.47% share in 2024; organic poultry is set to expand at a 1.84% CAGR through 2030.
  • By distribution channel, off-trade held 66.74% share of the United Kingdom poultry meat market size in 2024, whereas on-trade is expected to rise at a 1.49% CAGR during 2025–2030.

Segment Analysis

By Species: Chicken dominance faces turkey’s health-driven growth

Chicken continues to dominate the United Kingdom poultry meat market, holding a significant 85.88% market share in 2024. This dominance is largely due to its established supply chains, cost-effective production, and widespread popularity among consumers. Chicken is a versatile protein, suitable for various cooking methods and available in numerous forms, such as fresh cuts, frozen products, and ready-to-eat meals. Its affordability and adaptability make it a staple in households, restaurants, and foodservice outlets across the United Kingdom, ensuring its position as the leading choice for protein consumption.

Turkey, although a smaller segment of the market, is gaining traction and is expected to grow at the fastest rate among poultry species, with a projected CAGR of 1.59% from 2025 to 2030. Retailers are increasingly promoting turkey products like steaks and mince as convenient, healthy options that can be enjoyed year-round, moving beyond their traditional seasonal appeal. This growing interest in turkey reflects changing consumer preferences for leaner protein options and presents an opportunity for producers to expand their product offerings. By focusing on innovation and marketing, the turkey segment has the potential to capture a larger share of the United Kingdom poultry market.

United Kingdom Poultry Meat Market: Market Share by Species
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By Form: Fresh products lead while processed innovation drives growth

Fresh and chilled poultry cuts were the largest segment in the United Kingdom poultry meat market in 2024, accounting for 47.65% of the market share. Consumers highly favor these products due to their perceived freshness, quality, and flexibility in cooking. Shoppers often prefer fresh cuts as they allow for customization in portion sizes, seasoning, and preparation methods, making them suitable for a wide range of recipes. Fresh poultry is a popular choice among households and foodservice providers, as it meets the demand for healthier and minimally processed food options. This segment continues to be a key driver of the market, supported by its strong appeal to health-conscious and culinary-focused consumers.

Processed poultry products, on the other hand, are expected to grow steadily, with a projected CAGR of 1.25% through 2030. This growth is fueled by the increasing demand for convenient and ready-to-eat options, especially among busy consumers and foodservice operators. Processed products, such as pre-marinated cuts, frozen meals, and ready-to-cook items, save time while offering a variety of flavors to suit different tastes. Furthermore, innovations in sustainable packaging, including reductions in plastic usage by over 50%, are attracting environmentally conscious buyers. As convenience and sustainability become more important to consumers, the processed poultry segment is likely to see continued expansion.

By Nature: Conventional stability contrasts organic premium growth

In 2024, conventional poultry made up 87.47% of the United Kingdom's poultry meat market share, largely due to its affordability and widespread availability. Conventional poultry remains the most popular choice for consumers because it is cost-effective and easily accessible across various retail channels. Its consistent supply and strong presence in both retail and foodservice sectors make it a reliable option for everyday meals. This dominance highlights the importance of conventional poultry in meeting the daily protein needs of the majority of United Kingdom households.

On the other hand, organic poultry is growing at a faster rate, with a projected CAGR of 1.84%, which is nearly three times the growth rate of the overall market. This growth is driven by increasing consumer interest in healthier and more sustainable food options. Many retailers are expanding their range of organic poultry products, while producers are investing in certifications to meet demand and justify premium pricing. Consumers are becoming more aware of issues like animal welfare and environmental sustainability, which is boosting the appeal of organic poultry. As a result, organic poultry is emerging as a significant niche within the United Kingdom poultry market.

United Kingdom Poultry Meat Market: Market Share by Nature
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By Distribution Channel: Off-trade dominance meets on-trade recovery

In 2024, the off-trade segment led the United Kingdom poultry meat market, accounting for 66.74% of the market share. This segment includes supermarkets, hypermarkets, and grocery stores, which are the most common places for consumers to purchase poultry. These outlets attract buyers by offering affordable prices, a wide range of products, and convenient packaging. Strong supply chain systems and frequent promotional campaigns have further strengthened the dominance of the off-trade segment. For most households, these stores remain the go-to option for purchasing poultry due to their accessibility and reliability.

The on-trade segment, which includes restaurants, cafes, and other foodservice outlets, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 1.49% through 2030. This growth is largely driven by the increasing number of quick-service restaurants and casual dining establishments that use poultry, particularly boneless breast meat, in their menu offerings. The rising trend of dining out and the growing demand for protein-rich meals are key factors supporting this segment's expansion. Poultry suppliers are finding opportunities to meet the needs of foodservice operators by providing high-quality, portion-controlled products that ensure consistency and convenience for these businesses.

Geography Analysis

England continues to lead poultry production in the United Kingdom, supported by vertically integrated facilities located in regions like East Anglia and Yorkshire. These areas benefit from easy access to feed grains, strong grower networks, and well-equipped processing centers. In 2024, these regions collectively contributed the largest share of poultry meat production in the United Kingdom. However, growth in these areas faces challenges due to stricter land-use regulations and nutrient-management policies, which limit the expansion of production facilities.

Scotland focuses on producing premium organic and free-range poultry, leveraging its clean and rural image to attract both domestic and international markets. These high-quality products often command higher prices, appealing to health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers. Initiatives like the Scottish Agricultural Modernization program provide funding for energy-efficient housing and renewable heat systems, helping producers reduce emissions and align with the country's net-zero goals. Retailers frequently highlight Scottish origin on packaging, enhancing the perceived value of these products among consumers across the United Kingdom.

Wales and Northern Ireland play specialized roles in the United Kingdom poultry meat market. Welsh producers are adopting advanced technologies through programs like Farming Connect to improve productivity and profitability. Northern Ireland benefits from integrated cross-border supply chains, exporting surplus dark meat to the European Union and importing specific inputs as needed. Although Brexit has introduced additional regulatory requirements, some processors have used this as an opportunity to navigate between Great Britain and European Union markets. Regional farm unions in both Wales and Northern Ireland are advocating for increased biosecurity funding and workforce visas to maintain competitiveness.

Competitive Landscape

Top Companies in United Kingdom Poultry Meat Market

The United Kingdom poultry meat market is led by a few major companies, including Boparan Holdings, Moy Park, Cranswick, and Avara Foods. These companies manage end-to-end operations, covering everything from feed production and farming to processing and distribution. Their strong presence in the market allows them to operate efficiently, reduce costs, and meet the growing demand for poultry products. By controlling the entire supply chain, these companies can also invest in advanced technologies and sustainability measures, giving them a competitive edge in the market.

Large companies are increasingly focusing on innovation and sustainability to stay ahead. For instance, Avara Foods has significantly reduced its emissions and improved its operational efficiency through better data tracking systems. Similarly, Cranswick has invested heavily in upgrading its facilities to meet the rising demand for processed poultry products. These efforts not only improve productivity but also help these companies align with consumer expectations for environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Such initiatives are becoming essential as consumers and regulators place greater emphasis on sustainability in the food industry.

Smaller and emerging brands are finding opportunities by targeting niche markets, such as organic, slow-grown, and heritage poultry breeds, which appeal to health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers. Medium-sized processors are adopting robotics and automation to cut labor costs and improve efficiency, helping them compete with larger players. Additionally, innovation in the sector is evident with developments like cultivated meat, which could disrupt the market in the future. Retailers are also playing a key role by setting stricter standards for antibiotic use, animal welfare, and sustainable packaging, pushing suppliers to adapt and invest in these areas to remain competitive in the evolving market landscape.

United Kingdom Poultry Meat Industry Leaders

  1. Boparan Holdings Ltd

  2. Moy Park Ltd

  3. Cranswick plc

  4. Danish Crown AmbA

  5. Gressingham Foods

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
United Kingdom Poultry Meat Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • June 2023: Gressingham Group acquired a cold storage facility in Lincolnshire called Hemswell Coldstore. They are capable of housing 5000 pallets of frozen meat.
  • May 2023: Cranswick Convenience Foods Milton Keynes is working with fiber-based packaging supplier, Graphic Packaging, to move a range of cooked meats from plastic into trays produced from PaperLite™ - a thermoformable packaging material which contains 90% plant-based fiber.

Table of Contents for United Kingdom Poultry Meat Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Increasing consumer demand for lean, low-fat, high-protein meat
    • 4.2.2 Rising preference for convenient, ready-to-eat, and processed poultry products
    • 4.2.3 Growing awareness and demand for organic, free-range, and ethically sourced poultry products
    • 4.2.4 Expansion of the foodservice sector
    • 4.2.5 Technological advancements in poultry farming, processing, and packaging
    • 4.2.6 Sustainability concerns driving environmentally friendly production methods
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Avian flu outbreaks that disrupt supply and reduce flock sizes
    • 4.3.2 Labor shortages affecting poultry farming and processing operations
    • 4.3.3 Growing competition from plant-based and alternative protein sources
    • 4.3.4 Stringent food safety, animal welfare, and environmental regulations requiring costly compliance.
  • 4.4 Regulatory Outlook
  • 4.5 Consumer Behaviour Analysis
  • 4.6 Porter’s Five Forces
    • 4.6.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
    • 4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE AND VOLUME)

  • 5.1 By Species
    • 5.1.1 Chicken
    • 5.1.2 Turkey
    • 5.1.3 Others
  • 5.2 By Form
    • 5.2.1 Fresh/Chilled
    • 5.2.2 Frozen
    • 5.2.3 Canned
    • 5.2.4 Processed
    • 5.2.4.1 Nuggets
    • 5.2.4.2 Deli Meats
    • 5.2.4.3 Sausages
    • 5.2.4.4 Tenders/Marinated
    • 5.2.4.5 Meatballs
    • 5.2.4.6 Others
  • 5.3 By Nature
    • 5.3.1 Organic
    • 5.3.2 Conventional
  • 5.4 By Distribution Channel
    • 5.4.1 Off-Trade
    • 5.4.1.1 Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
    • 5.4.1.2 Online Retail Stores
    • 5.4.1.3 Convenience Stores
    • 5.4.1.4 Others
    • 5.4.2 On-Trade
    • 5.4.2.1 Hotels
    • 5.4.2.2 Restaurants
    • 5.4.2.3 Catering

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global-level Overview, Market-level Overview, Core Segments, Financials (if available), Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share, Products and Services, Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Boparan Holdings Ltd
    • 6.4.2 Cherry Valley
    • 6.4.3 Moy Park Ltd
    • 6.4.4 Cranswick plc
    • 6.4.5 Vion Food Group
    • 6.4.6 Danish Crown AmbA
    • 6.4.7 JBS SA
    • 6.4.8 Vossko GmbH
    • 6.4.9 Gressingham Foods
    • 6.4.10 LDC Group
    • 6.4.11 Salisbury Poultry (Midlands) Ltd
    • 6.4.12 Highbury Poultry Farm Produce Ltd
    • 6.4.13 Slomers
    • 6.4.14 Wild Meat Company
    • 6.4.15 Eversfield Organic
    • 6.4.16 Adlington Foods Ltd
    • 6.4.17 Sysco Corp
    • 6.4.18 Field & Flower
    • 6.4.19 Heck Foods Ltd
    • 6.4.20 Richmond Sausages

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

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United Kingdom 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.
By Species
Chicken
Turkey
Others
By Form
Fresh/Chilled
Frozen
Canned
Processed Nuggets
Deli Meats
Sausages
Tenders/Marinated
Meatballs
Others
By Nature
Organic
Conventional
By Distribution Channel
Off-Trade Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
Online Retail Stores
Convenience Stores
Others
On-Trade Hotels
Restaurants
Catering
By Species Chicken
Turkey
Others
By Form Fresh/Chilled
Frozen
Canned
Processed Nuggets
Deli Meats
Sausages
Tenders/Marinated
Meatballs
Others
By Nature Organic
Conventional
By Distribution Channel Off-Trade Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
Online Retail Stores
Convenience Stores
Others
On-Trade Hotels
Restaurants
Catering
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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.
research-methodology
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