Poultry Meat: Driving Growth in the Meat Processing Industry Through 2035

Poultry Meat as the Growth Engine of the Meat Processing Industry

Poultry meat is emerging as the most dynamically developing segment of the meat processing industry over the next decade. According to the latest medium-term agricultural market outlook, this sector is expected to be the main driver of growth through 2035, with both production and consumption projected to increase. For poultry producers and processing companies, this creates new opportunities, while also placing higher demands on productivity, automation, food safety, and the efficiency of packaging solutions.

The Only Growing Meat Sector in the EU

Forecasts indicate that by 2035, poultry meat will be the only major meat category in the European Union expected to see simultaneous growth in both production and consumption. While pork and beef are projected to stagnate or decline, the poultry sector continues to expand its market share.

The key drivers behind this trend are well known: a more affordable price, high nutritional value, a short production cycle, and a lower carbon footprint compared with other animal proteins. Chicken meat is increasingly seen as a preferred choice by households, the foodservice sector, and manufacturers of ready-to-eat meals alike.

This shift increases the need for more efficient poultry processing technologies that can ensure higher capacity, consistent quality, and optimal use of raw material.

New Opportunities for Poultry Processing

Globally, meat consumption is expected to increase by nearly 45.8 million tonnes by 2035, with a significant share of this growth coming from poultry meat. Particularly strong demand growth is forecast in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.

To meet this demand, an additional approximately 2.5 million tonnes of poultry meat will be required, which will call for expanded production capacity and the implementation of more efficient solutions across the entire production chain, from primary processing to portioning, packaging, and logistics.

For businesses, this means investing in modern poultry processing equipment, automated production lines, and technologies that reduce production costs while increasing productivity.

New Requirements for Meat Processing Companies

Growing production volumes require the optimization of every process. In poultry meat processing, even minimal raw material losses or disruptions in the cold chain can have a serious impact on profitability.

The main challenges for producers remain:

• short shelf life;

• maintaining high hygiene standards;

• reducing food waste;

• efficient cooling, transport, and storage;

• production traceability;

• preserving quality throughout the entire product life cycle.

For this reason, more and more companies are investing in production automation, intelligent quality control systems, and modern packaging technologies that provide longer shelf life and better product protection.

Record Prices Turn Efficient Packaging into a Strategic Advantage

In 2025, the average price of broiler meat in the European Union exceeded EUR 3,000 per tonne for the first time. This means that every loss caused by compromised packaging, leaks, incorrect vacuuming, or reduced shelf life has a direct impact on financial performance.

That is why modern packaging technologies have become an essential element of efficient poultry processing. High-barrier vacuum films, thermoforming solutions, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) extend shelf life, preserve product quality, and reduce food waste throughout the entire supply chain.

Automation Defines the Future of Poultry Processing

The sustained growth of the market will also be accompanied by higher requirements for food safety, traceability, and energy efficiency. Producers that invest in automated lines for cutting, packaging, and quality control will be able to increase productivity while reducing operating costs.

At Sidorenko Foodtech, we monitor the development of the meat processing industry and offer automation solutions, poultry processing equipment, and high-performance packaging technologies that help producers respond to growing market demand. In a context of sustained growth, investment in modern technologies is no longer merely a competitive advantage; it is a key factor for long-term efficiency and development.