In this article, we will discuss the 15 biggest poultry companies in the world. If you want to see more companies in this selection, go to the 5 Biggest Poultry Companies in the World.
Analysis of the Poultry Industry
According to the Economic Research Service wing in the US Department of Agriculture, poultry has become the most consumed livestock commodity globally in the past 20 years. The demand for poultry has increased significantly in developing and emerging countries, where production prospects have earlier been limited due to a lack of resources. The rising demand has increased global imports as well. Poultry is expected to remain the most consumed livestock in the next decade as well. As a result, numerous companies are continuously working on enhancing their yield. Brazil, France, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and the US have emerged as major players in the poultry industry. Brazil is the world's biggest poultry producer, and the country is expected to occupy the top position in the next decade as well. On the other hand, the US is expected to lose a proportion of its market share in the next ten years. Due to continuous improvement in trade because of globalization, poultry trade has gained significant visibility.
The reason for the momentum in the poultry industry can be attributed to the fact that chickens mature and achieve market weight at the fastest pace compared to any other livestock. Furthermore, they have the best feed-to-meat conversion process among all livestock. Furthermore, chickens do not require vast open spaces like other livestock and are ideally raised in confined and closed spaces. As a result, the production of poultry has now become more practical and affordable in developing markets. Global poultry production increased to 131 million tons in 2019 as opposed to 94 million tons in 2009. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.37% for the period. Out of the total global production, around 20 million tons, or 15.2%, are exported to different markets by producers.
Meanwhile, in monetary terms, the size of the global poultry industry is set to increase by 7.6% YoY from $352.02 billion in 2022 to $378.84 billion in 2023. According to the Business Research company, the size of the poultry industry is set to grow at an average rate of 6.5% every year to $487.39 billion by 2027. Some of the biggest poultry companies in the world, such as Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), BRF S.A. (NYSE:BRFS), and Wens Foodstuff Group Co., Ltd. (300498.SZ), are capitalizing on the increasing demand in the poultry industry.
15 Biggest Poultry Companies in the World
Our Methodology
We conducted a comprehensive analysis of industry reports and publications to identify the leading companies in the global poultry market. We reviewed the financial statements, production capacity, geographical reach, number of broilers slaughtered annually, and the diversity of the companies' product portfolios to assess their scale of operations. The list includes both private and public limited companies. We have used TTM revenue as the benchmark to gauge the size of these companies. The companies have been ranked in ascending order of their revenue.
Biggest Poultry Companies in the World
15. Suguna Foods
TTM Revenue: $1.7 billion
Suguna Foods is a South India-based poultry company founded in 1984. The company is considered one of the biggest poultry companies in India, with operations across the country. Suguna Foods slaughtered 517 million broilers in 2022.
Suguna Foods' poultry business involves the production, processing, and marketing of chicken and eggs. The company has a vertically integrated model that encompasses all aspects of the poultry value chain, from breeding and hatching to feed production, farming, processing, and distribution. The company's commitment to promoting economic and social development in rural India has been a key factor in its success. Suguna Foods has empowered more than 40,000 farmers from over 15,000 villages across 18 states in India, enabling them to become successful entrepreneurs.
14. Plukon Food Group
TTM Revenue: $2.7 billion
Plukon Food Group is a Netherland-based major poultry processing company that produces and distributes fresh, frozen, and convenience poultry products. Founded in 1995, the company has grown to become one of the largest poultry producers in Europe, with operations in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, and Poland.
Plukon Food Group has a workforce of over 7,000 employees and produces a wide range of products, including chicken, turkey, and duck. Plukon Food Group also produces a range of organic and free-range poultry products. The company slaughtered 468 million broilers in 2022. Earlier in February, it was revealed that Plukon Food Group purchased a controlling 51% stake in JA ter Maten Holding, a Dutch poultry company. The deal is in line with Plukon Food Group's goal of enhancing its market position in the poultry processing value chain in Europe.
13. Wellhope Foods Co., Ltd. (603609.SS)
TTM Revenue: $4.49 billion (¥31.23 billion)
Wellhope Foods Co., Ltd. (603609.SS), formerly known as Wellhope Agri-Tech, is a Shenyang, China-based Company established in 1995.
Presently, Wellhope Foods Co., Ltd.'s (603609.SS) products are marketed and sold across 32 states in the US and 22 countries globally. The company has 200 subsidiaries globally. Wellhope Foods Co., Ltd. (603609.SS) slaughtered 695 million broilers in 2022. The company has a market share of 10% in the Chinese domestic market, and its annual slaughtering capacity hovers around 650 million to 750 million broilers.
12. Koch Foods Inc.
TTM Revenue: $4.7 billion
Koch Foods Inc. is a Park Ridge, Illinois-based privately held poultry processing company with a workforce of 14,000 employees. The company is distinguished as of the biggest poultry processors in the US that came into being in 1973.
Koch Food Inc. secured the 120th position in the 2022 Forbes' Largest Private American Companies list. In 2021, the company produced more than 60.7 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken every week. The company generated 15% of its sales by exporting its products. Meanwhile, 55% of the sales came from food service, 15% through institutions, and the remaining 15% through retail. In 2022, Koch Foods Inc. slaughtered 655 million broilers.
11. Japfa Ltd. (UD2.SI)
TTM Revenue: $4.99 billion
Japfa Ltd. (UD2.SI) is a Singapore-based agri-food company founded in 1971 that is involved in producing protein staples like poultry, beef, and pork. The pan-Asian company is a subsidiary of Rangi Management Limited and has a workforce of 40,000 employees.
Japfa Ltd. (UD2.SI) also has a presence in Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The company generates the majority of its top line from Indonesia. Japfa Ltd. claims to have 3 billion people as its target market, equivalent to more than 40% of the global population. Overall, Japfa Ltd. (UD2.SI) slaughtered 607.5 million broilers in 2022.
10. LDC
TTM Revenue: $5.38 billion (€5.1 billion)
The Lambert Dodard Chancereul (LDC) Group is an established name in the global poultry market as a European broiler producer. The company markets its product through different brand names. LDC group has 93 plants, 14 logistics centers, and ten production entities across Europe, with a headcount of over 23,500 employees.
The Lambert Dodard Chancereul Group experienced controlled and sustainable growth in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, with 21% of revenue coming from international markets. The Group's current operating income was €208.50 million, reflecting financial stability and ability to invest almost €220 million in upgrading its industrial tools and pursuing innovative initiatives for the future. The company slaughtered 578.5 million broilers in 2022.
Industrias Bachoco, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:IBA) is a Celaya, Mexico-based poultry producer with a headcount of over 30,000 employees. The company, founded in 1952, specializes in the production and distribution of poultry products.
Industrias Bachoco exports to 50 countries worldwide and has three other segments related to eggs, balanced feed, and pork. Nearly a month ago, Industrias Bachoco announced the departure of current CEO Rodolfo Ramos Arvizu. He was a company veteran who became a part of the company in 1980 and will be succeeded by Ernesto Salmon Castelo. The move will be effective from April 17. In 2022, Industrias Bachoco, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:IBA), slaughtered 627 million broilers.
8. 2 Sisters Food Group
TTM Revenue: $7.1 billion
2 Sisters Food Group is a Birmingham, UK-based, privately owned food processing company founded in 1993. The company is a subsidiary of Boparan Holdings Ltd and has a headcount of over 13,000 employees.
The entity reaches the end consumer by providing its poultry products to major retailers in the UK. 2 Sisters Food Group claims that it processes 10.4 million birds every week in the UK and Europe. According to Rockford, Illinois-based marketing research firm WATT Global Media, 2 Sisters Food Group slaughtered 520 million broilers in 2022.
7. Perdue Foods
TTM Revenue: $8 billion
Perdue Foods is a Salisbury, Maryland-based producer of chicken, turkey, and pork in the US.
Perdue Foods claims that its chickens are 100% vegetable-fed, and there is no presence of animal by-products in its feed. The company has the distinction of having the number one brand for fresh chicken in the US under its portfolio. Overall, Perdue Foods has a 7% market share in the poultry industry in the US. The company has a headcount of 21,000 employees and is the 65th biggest privately held company in the US based on revenue as of 2022, according to Forbes. Perdue Foods slaughtered 605 million broilers in 2022.
6. Wayne-Sanderson Farms
TTM Revenue: $8 billion
Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an Oakwood, Georgia-based poultry producer with a headcount of 26,000 employees across its 23 processing facilities situated in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas.
The company is the third biggest poultry producer in the US. Wayne-Sanderson Farms was established last year following the completion of the merger between Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms. Wayne-Sanderson Farms has strategically positioned its facilities throughout the southeastern region of the United States to process over 16 million chickens weekly, allowing the company to provide its customers with fresh chicken products. The company slaughtered 635 million broilers in 2022.
In addition to Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), Wens Foodstuff Group Co., Ltd. (300498.SZ), and BRF S.A. (NYSE:BRFS) are also on our list of the 15 biggest poultry companies in the world.
