March 6, 2014

Australia's chicken meat production is expected to grow further and retain its number one position as the most consumed meat in the country, according to the Outlook Report for chicken meat to 2018-19 of the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

The report notes that over the past decade, the industry has grown at a steady 4% a year and now makes up one-quarter of meat production, compared to 18% 10 years ago. Within the next five years, the industry is forecast to increase its share of total meat production to 28%.

The report singles out the competitive pricing of chicken meat as the main factor, noting that over the past five years to 2012-13, chicken was on average 21% cheaper than pork, 22% cheaper than beef and 45% cheaper than lamb.

ABARES sees that this price advantage will persist in the medium term and notes that the price differential reflects "strong productivity growth achieved in the Australian chicken meat industry over successive decades".

Andreas Dubs, executive director of the Australian Chicken Meat Federation, said that the report is a most welcome official confirmation of the industry's own assessment of its medium term outlook. "Consumers appreciate the good value that chicken represents but also appreciate the convenience, versatility and nutritional qualities of chicken meat", Dubs explained.