Of that global sum, $15.9 billion (74.3%) was for imported frozen poultry meat. In comparison, $5.5 billion (25.7%) encompasses international spending on fresh or chilled chicken imports.
The value of frozen chicken imports increased by an average 11% since 2016 when frozen chicken meat shipments were valued at $14.4 billion. From 2019 to 2020, imported frozen poultry declined in value by -2.6%. Imports of fresh or chilled chicken slowed by -6.8% since 2016 and dropped in value by -7.6% year over year.
From a continental perspective, Asia bought 63.5% of frozen chicken imports but 6.6% of fresh or chilled chicken. In contrast, importers in Europe bought 80% of all imported fresh or chilled chicken compared to 16.9% of frozen chicken. North American buyers consumed 12.8% of the global subtotal for fresh or chilled chicken and 2.8% for frozen poultry meat.
African importers generated 9.5% of international frozen chicken purchases versus 0.4% of fresh or chilled poultry. Smallest among continents for importing chicken is distant Oceania led by Australia at 0.7% for frozen goods compared to a miniscule 0.04% for fresh or chilled poultry.
For research purposes, the six-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) code prefixes are 020711 for whole fresh or chilled chicken, 020713 for fresh or chilled chicken cuts and offal, 020712 for whole frozen chicken and 020714 for frozen chicken cuts and offal.
Chicken Imports by Country: Fresh
Below are the 15 buyer countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of fresh or chilled chicken during 2020, encompassing both whole chicken and cut pieces.
- Germany: US$815.1 million (14.8% of imported fresh/chilled chicken)
- France: $683.6 million (12.4%)
- United Kingdom: $673.5 million (12.2%)
- Netherlands: $523.6 million (9.5%)
- Mexico: $460.7 million (8.3%)
- Belgium: $292.6 million (5.3%)
- Hong Kong, China: $207.4 million (3.8%)
- Canada: $191.4 million (3.5%)
- Slovakia: $143.8 million (2.6%)
- Russian Federation: $143.7 million (2.6%)
- Ireland: $132 million (2.4%)
- Czech Republic: $127 million (2.3%)
- Austria: $104.9 million (1.9%)
- Hungary: $72.3 million (1.3%)
- Switzerland: $71.9 million (1.3%)
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing importers of fresh or chilled chicken since 2016 were: Slovakia (up 182.7%), Hungary (up 139%), Belgium (up 46.1%) and Hong Kong (up 37%).
Three countries posted declines in their imported fresh or chilled chicken purchases namely Canada (down -36.3%), Ireland (down -33.8%) and the United Kingdom (down -18.3%).
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 84.1% of all fresh/chilled chicken imported in 2020.
Top Chicken Imports by Country: Frozen
Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of frozen chicken during 2020.
- China: US$3.4 billion (21.6% of imported frozen chicken)
- Saudi Arabia: $1.11 billion (7.0%)
- Japan: $1.1 billion (6.9%)
- Hong Kong: $658.4 million (4.1%)
- United Arab Emirates: $534.6 million (3.4%)
- Iraq: $463.7 million (2.9%)
- United Kingdom: $456.7 million (2.9%)
- Netherlands: $300.1 million (1.9%)
- France: $296.6 million (1.9%)
- Germany: $292.8 million (1.8%)
- Vietnam: $283 million (1.8%)
- South Africa: $281.9 million (1.8%)
- Singapore: $271.6 million (1.7%)
- Cuba: $253.4 million (1.6%)
- Ghana: $235.8 million (1.5%)
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing importers of frozen chicken since 2016 were: China (up 180.4%), Vietnam (up 171.1%), Ghana (up 131.3%) and the Netherlands (up 11.7%).
Those countries that posted declines in their imported frozen chicken purchases were led by: Hong Kong (down -40.7%), Saudi Arabia (down -21.3%), United Arab Emirates (down -19.7%) and South Africa (down -17.5%).
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 62.6% of all frozen chicken imported in 2020.
See also Chicken Exports by Country, Fresh or Frozen Beef Imports by Country and Pork Exports by Country
Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Imports – Commodities. Accessed on July 16, 2021
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on July 16, 2021
Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on July 16, 2021
