Chicken Meat

AgriFutures focuses research, development and extension (RD&E) investment into chicken meat because it is a major Australian rural industry.

The chicken meat industry contributes $3.9 billion to the national economy, has an estimated retail value of over $8 billion and supports over 58,000 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs – AgriFutures’ investment in the chicken meat industry helps protect its long‑term viability by strengthening sustainability, biosecurity, animal health and welfare, production efficiency, food safety and workforce capability.

Under the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program RD&E Plan 2022–2027, investment targets the industry’s biggest priorities: improving environmental sustainability (including development of an Australian Chicken Meat Sustainability Framework), strengthening biosecurity, health and welfare (including early detection of exotic diseases), boosting efficient and secure production systems, safeguarding food safety, and building a diverse, capable workforce to support adoption across the supply chain.

^{*Per the Economic contribution of Australia’s chicken meat industry, 2022-23 report}

Lifecycle analysis of the Australian chicken meat industry confirms that commercial chicken meat production is the most environmentally sustainable production method for land-based animal protein.*

Despite already being the most sustainable land-based meat, the Australian chicken meat industry is actively working on determining meaningful and achievable ways to reduce our environmental impact and further improve the sustainability of the sector, with several initiatives already underway. In partnership with the Australian Chicken Meat Federation (the peak body for the chicken meat industry in Australia) AgriFutures has developed the Australian Chicken Meat Industry Sustainability Framework that demonstrates how the sector will support Australian agriculture’s transition to a lower-carbon future, and strengthen food security and economic resilience by monitoring, measuring and reporting industry performance against sustainability priorities going forward.

^{*Per the Economic contribution of Australia’s chicken meat industry, 2022-23 report}

The Australian chicken meat industry contributes significantly to the domestic economy, with an estimated gross value of production (2022-23) of $3.9 billion and an estimated retail value of over $8 billion.*

Australia’s domestic chicken meat industry provides jobs for more than 58,000 people (FTE), many in rural and regional communities, and has strong connections with the food service and retail sectors.

The industry provides the most popular source of animal protein to Australian consumers, with annual per capita consumption of chicken meat of approximately 50kg per person. 68 per cent of Australians eat chicken meat as part of a meal at least twice a week because of its affordability, popularity with the entire household, versatility and taste. The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics (ABARES) forward estimate for poultry meat production in 2024-25 is 1.5 million tonnes or 1.5 billion kilograms.^

^{*Per the Economic contribution of Australia’s chicken meat industry, 2022-23 report}

^{^Per the Australian Chicken Meat Federation}

A great starting point is to read the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program RD&E Plan (2022-2027)
to understand the Program goal, priorities and what kinds of RD&E activities are funded. We also recommend learning about the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Advisory Panel.

For ongoing updates, Program updates and project outcomes are shared on the AgriFutures website, social media platforms and other official communications channels, with regular industry updates also sent via an opt-in AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program email subscription list.

For further industry information and resources, visit the Australian Chicken Meat Federation‘s website.