US Poultry Market Analysis
The US poultry market saw a steady rise from 2021-2024, with significant growth in 2022 and 2023 driven by inflation and increased demand for affordable proteins. Notably, chicken remains the dominant species, outpacing other poultry segments, although younger consumers are diversifying their preferences. The market’s resilience, despite macroeconomic challenges like tariff-driven uncertainties, reflects its affordability and nutritional value compared to other proteins. Going forward, the poultry market is forecast to maintain moderate growth, with private label brands gaining market share and continued consumer interest in health-driven and convenient poultry products. In the long term, innovations in flavor, format, and ethical claims are expected to drive consumer engagement, particularly among younger and more environmentally conscious buyers.
US Poultry Market Trends
Consumer trends in the US Poultry Market are shifting toward greater variety and health-conscious choices, with 34% of consumers increasing their poultry consumption in the past year. Younger consumers, in particular, are exploring new poultry types, flavors, and formats, prioritizing bold flavors, high protein content, and convenience in their purchases. Transparency in labeling, such as claims of being antibiotic-free, all-natural, or ethically sourced, is becoming increasingly important, especially among younger and more environmentally aware buyers. There is also a notable demand for convenient, ready-to-cook products like pre-marinated or air-fryer-ready options, which cater to the busy, health-focused lifestyles of consumers, particularly parents. Additionally, consumers are experimenting with various cuts and types of poultry, with a preference for fresh white meat and ground poultry, while also embracing sustainability and ethical sourcing practices.
Purchasing the US Poultry Market Report 2025 reveals a shift in consumer preferences, with younger generations opting for diverse poultry types, bold flavors, and convenient, health-driven options. Older consumers stick to traditional cuts like chicken breasts and wings. The report highlights a growing demand for transparency and ethical sourcing, especially among younger, environmentally conscious buyers. Amid rising costs, brands are innovating with affordable, high-protein solutions to meet the needs of both value-driven and health-conscious consumers.
About The Report
The US Poultry Market Report 2025 provides comprehensive insights into the evolving poultry consumption trends, market drivers, and consumer preferences. It covers key areas such as poultry market size and forecasts, poultry consumption by species and cut, purchasing motivators, and the impact of health and ethical claims on consumer choices. The Poultry Market Report also explores generational shifts in consumption patterns, the rise of private label brands, and innovations in convenience and nutrition. The research surveys various demographic groups, including age, parental status, and regional variations, to offer a detailed understanding of the US poultry market landscape. This report is invaluable for poultry producers, food retailers, marketers, and anyone involved in the food and beverage industry seeking to align their strategies with current and future consumer demands in the US poultry sector.
Key Topics Analyzed in the Report
- Macroeconomic factors impacting the poultry market
- Sales and market forecast of poultry including brand performance
- Poultry consumption by species and cut
- Changes in poultry consumption and reasons for increase or decrease
- Poultry associations by format
- Poultry purchase motivators
- Importance of poultry claims
- Attitudes toward poultry
- Poultry product innovation and marketing strategies
| Report Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Published Date | June 2025 |
| Data Range | 2019-2030 |
| Measurement Metrics | Revenue in US $ |
| Country Focus | United States of America (USA) |
| Consumer Data | 2,000 internet users aged 18+, April 2025 |
| Number of Pages | 64 |
| Market Segmentation | Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Cornish Game Hen, Goose, Other Poultry, Fresh White Meat Parts, Breaded Frozen Nuggets, Fresh Dark Meat Parts, Frozen Whole Poultry, Frozen Dark Meat Parts, Pre-Cooked Poultry, Ground Chicken, and Ground Turkey. |
| Leading Companies | Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Hormel Foods Corporation, JBS USA Holdings Inc, Maxwell Farms Seaboard LLC, Private Label, Barber Foods, Just BARE, Pilgrim’s, Shady Brook Farms, Honeysuckle, Applegate, and Carolina Turkey. |
Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis
This report was written by Sydney Riebe. Sydney joined Mintel in 2021 after spending more than 4 years working in higher education. She has a decade of experience in the food service industry, where she gained a passion for following food, beverage and menu trends. Sydney holds a BA in English Literature from DePaul University and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.
Poultry continues to be the affordable protein, helping consumers meet nutritional needs. Increased demand for convenience, transparency and flavor innovation will shape the future of the category.
Sydney Riebe
Analyst – US Food and Drink
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- What you need to know
- Market size and forecast
- Market predictions
- What consumers want and why
- Opportunities
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MARKET DYNAMICS
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Poultry remains the relatively affordable protein…
- Graph 1: changes in consumer price indexes, 2022-25
- …and protein is a non-negotiable for consumers
- Lower feed prices continue to benefit profit margins
- Market size and forecast
- Inflation and expanded occasions result in moderate poultry dollar sales growth
- Retail sales and forecast of poultry
- Retail sales and forecast of poultry, at current prices
- Retail sales and forecast of poultry, at inflation-adjusted prices
- Market segmentation
- Chicken continues to outpace other poultry growth
- Graph 2: total retail sales of poultry, by segment, at current prices, 2019-25
- Retail sales of poultry, by segment
- Retail channel performance generally unchanged, but shifts could be on the horizon
- Market share/brand share
- Private label edges out big brands and now leads market share of poultry sales
- Sales of poultry, by company
- Just BARE and private label chicken pick up market share
- Sales of chicken, by company
- Big brands and private label battle for other poultry sales
- Sales of other poultry, by company
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CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Consumer fast facts
- Poultry consumption by species
- Shifts in consumption reflect exploration across species
- Graph 3: trended poultry consumption by species, 2023-25
- Keep trial momentum strong among younger consumers
- Graph 4: poultry consumption by species, by age group, 2025
- Chicken remains a staple, but urban consumers look further
- Graph 5: poultry consumption by species, by area, 2025
- Alternative retailers preferential for alternative poultry
- Poultry consumption by cut
- Slight decline across most cuts, with ground poultry the exception
- Graph 6: repertoire of poultry consumption by cut, 2025
- Graph 7: trended poultry consumption by cut, 2023-25
- Parents look across poultry cuts for the best option
- Graph 8: poultry consumption by cut, by parental status, 2025
- Changes in poultry consumption
- One third of consumers have increased their poultry consumption
- Younger consumers have strongest consumption momentum
- Graph 9: changes in poultry consumption, by age group, 2025
- Expanded occasions and exploration help poultry win
- Graph 10: trended reasons for increased poultry consumption, 2023-25
- Reasons for increase in consumption reveal varying generational needs
- Graph 11: reasons for increased poultry consumption, by age group, 2025
- Competing on convenience can win consumers back
- Graph 12: trended reasons for decreased poultry consumption, 2023-25
- Poultry associations
- Fresh poultry wins on health and value…
- Graph 13: poultry associations, 2025
- Parents struggle to find convenience in poultry
- Graph 14: poultry associations, by parental status, 2025
- Connect with younger consumers while they build poultry purchase routines
- Graph 15: poultry associations, by age group, 2025
- Poultry purchase motivators
- Consumers are motivated by basics first when it comes to poultry
- Graph 16: poultry purchase motivators, 2025
- Easy protein motivates more than half of consumers
- Older consumers lean on brand trust, while younger consumers explore
- Graph 17: poultry purchase motivators, by age group, 2025
- Importance of poultry claims
- All-natural continues to be most important, but consumers are engaged across the board
- Graph 18: importance of poultry claims, 2025
- Younger consumers have broad expectations for poultry claims
- Graph 19: importance of poultry claims, by age group, 2025
- Parents place a premium on health claims, but flavor must follow
- Graph 20: importance of poultry claims, by parental status, 2025
- Poultry attitudes
- Opportunity to strengthen consumer perceptions of poultry varieties
- Graph 21: poultry attitudes, 2025
- Younger consumers are more flexible on format, less on ethics
- Graph 22: poultry attitudes, by age group, 2025
- Transparent practices connect most strongly with Black and Asian consumers
- Graph 23: poultry attitudes, by race or ethnicity, 2025
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INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
- Launch activity and innovation
- Convenience and health claims grow among poultry product introductions
- Graph 24: poultry claims, 2022-25
- Convenient formats that converge with BFY can entice parents
- Global flavor launches add excitement to poultry
- Time-saving techniques leave room for customization
- Poultry works across formats as a BFY option
- Snack size expands occasions and extends versatility
- Marketing and advertising
- Perdue invests in audio branding
- Brands encourage consumers to satisfy their fast food cravings at home
- Sanderson Farms tackles cooking anxiety and tips for leftovers
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APPENDIX
- Market definition
- Consumer research questions
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms
- Forecast methodology
- Forecast fan chart methodology
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