The accurate information provided by this blog on the poultry sector serves to keep potential and actual customers in the sector (mainly consumers) informed about what, how, and why professional poultry farming is a fundamental source of food accessibility.
We believe it is important to know many things that can help clarify ideas that have been confused by extremist activists who portray the sector as one dedicated to sinister activities.
Returning to the topic of the title, the poultry sector continues to show remarkable resilience and a steady growth trend, despite facing significant challenges that are shaping its future.
Key trends and growth factors
The poultry sector remains one of the most important sources of animal protein globally. Its growth is driven by several factors:
Population growth and urbanization
Population growth and the expansion of urban areas, especially in developing countries, continue to stimulate demand for meat and eggs.
Affordability
Poultry is often the most affordable and accessible source of protein for consumers, which consolidates its role in a context of global inflation.
Per capita consumption
Per capita poultry consumption continues to grow, surpassing that of other meats in many regions of the world. It seems that young people in particular are driving growth in the sector, most likely for reasons of practicality and convenience, taking into account that this figure is influenced by the widespread availability of ready-made chicken ‘menus’ in various forms, especially from fast food chains and large-scale retailers, which are following the food supply trends of the young population, who are increasingly less inclined to cook and less willing to devote ‘too much’ time to meals as a moment of gathering for the family—large or small—around the table.
The biggest challenges today
Despite its growth, the sector still faces complex obstacles:
Avian influenza (AI)
Avian influenza continues to pose the greatest challenge. New waves of outbreaks in different parts of the world have caused significant livestock losses and trade restrictions, affecting prices and the stability of supply chains.
Raw material costs
Feed prices, particularly for corn and soybeans, remain volatile and high in many regions due to weather conditions and geopolitical tensions, squeezing farmers’ profit margins.
Regulations and sustainability
The industry is under increasing pressure to comply with higher standards of animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Many companies are investing in technologies to reduce their ecological impact and respond to consumer demands.
Evolution of consumption and innovation
Consumers are increasingly concerned about the origin of food and production methods. This has led to strong growth in demand for:
Antibiotic-free products
The demand for meat and eggs produced without the use of growth antibiotics is rising sharply, which speaks volumes about the industry’s inability to clarify that the issue of antibiotics has long been resolved, as we have also explained here:
https://nutriamocidibuonsenso.it/ma-questi-antibiotici-nei-polli-ci-sono-o-no/
https://moreaboutchicken.com/but-are-these-antibiotics-in-chickens-or-not/
Outdoor and organic farming
There is growing interest in products from farms that offer greater animal welfare. This issue also faces the same difficulties as antibiotics in being understood, as it is misunderstood and exploited by many uninformed people.
We have explained this here:
https://nutriamocidibuonsenso.it/benessere-animale-mille-attenzioni/
https://moreaboutchicken.com/animal-welfare-a-thousand-attentions/
However, on the innovation front, genetic selection continues to progress, with research focused not only on production efficiency but also on greater resilience and disease resistance.
Automation and data analytics are also transforming farm management, making it increasingly precise, controlled, and efficient.
