Frozen Chicken Global Market Report 2025

The frozen chicken market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $24.55 billion in 2024 to $27.17 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the rise in consumer demand, global trade expansion, growth in quick-service restaurants, increased urbanization, and poultry industry growth.

The frozen chicken market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to " $41.02 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expanding e-commerce sales, rising protein consumption, improving cold chain logistics, growing demand in emerging markets, and stricter food safety regulations. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements in packaging, sustainability-focused production, strategic partnerships, advancements in cold chain logistics, and increasing focus on halal and organic options.

The forecast of 10.8% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.2% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by raising import costs from Brazil and Thailand, increasing prices for fast-food and grocery sectors.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The increasing consumer demand for convenient and ready-to-cook food products is expected to accelerate the growth of the frozen chicken market in the future. These products, which are pre-prepared or partially cooked, are designed to reduce meal preparation time while providing ease of use, consistent quality, and extended shelf life. The shift toward convenient and ready-to-cook food items is driven by fast-paced lifestyles, as consumers find themselves with less time for traditional meal preparation and seek quick, hassle-free dining solutions. Frozen chicken offers a versatile, easily accessible, and quick-to-prepare protein source that aligns with consumer desires for both convenience and nutrition. For example, in April 2024, data from the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), a US-based trade association, showed that total industry foodservice sales accounted for 26.9% of in-store sales in 2023, up from 25.6% in 2022, with prepared food sales rising by 12.2% per store per month. As a result, the growing preference for convenient and ready-to-cook food products is driving the expansion of the frozen chicken market.

Leading companies in the frozen chicken market are focusing on developing innovative marinated frozen chicken to enhance flavor, cater to diverse consumer tastes, and add value to their product offerings. Marinated frozen chicken is poultry that has been soaked in a seasoned liquid mixture to improve flavor and tenderness before being frozen for extended shelf life and easy preparation. For instance, Seara International, a Thailand-based food company, launched its innovative Shawaya Chicken range at Gulfood 2022 in Dubai. The product is pre-marinated and can be cooked directly from the freezer to the oven or air fryer, eliminating the need for thawing or additional seasoning. It is available in three regional flavors: Hot Curry (coriander, cumin), Kabsa (cinnamon, anise), and Italian (rosemary, basil), along with a plain Frozen Tender Whole Chicken pre-marinated with brine to enhance juiciness.

In June 2022, Atlas Holdings B.V., a Netherlands-based financial holding company, acquired Foster Farms for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aimed to strengthen Atlas Holdings' portfolio in the food and agribusiness sectors by leveraging Foster Farms' well-established brand, extensive distribution network, and strong presence in the poultry industry. Foster Farms, a US-based poultry company, offers a wide range of frozen chicken products.

Frozen chicken refers to poultry meat that has been preserved at sub-zero temperatures immediately after processing to prevent bacterial growth and extend shelf life while preserving its nutritional value and texture. It is widely used in various culinary applications, including home cooking, food service, and ready-to-eat meal production, due to its convenience, availability, and easy storage.

The main types of frozen chicken include chicken breast, chicken thigh, chicken drumstick, chicken wings, and other cuts. Chicken breast, known for being lean, boneless, and skinless, is taken from the pectoral muscle of the chicken. It is prized for its high protein content, mild flavor, and versatility in cooking. Products made from frozen chicken include chicken nuggets, chicken popcorn, chicken fingers, and chicken patties, sourced from breeds such as broiler chicken, layer chicken, free-range chicken, and organic chicken. These products are distributed through various channels, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, and online retail, and are used in applications such as home cooking, the food processing industry, and the pet food industry.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid implementation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the food and beverage sector. Rising costs for imported ingredients such as olive oil, cheese, and tropical fruits are pressuring food manufacturers to either reformulate their products or absorb reduced profit margins. Beverage producers are similarly affected, with tariffs on aluminum cans driving up packaging costs. Meanwhile, retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports like soybeans and pork are disrupting farm-to-processor supply chains. In response, companies are adjusting recipes, increasing local sourcing, and using commodity hedging strategies to manage price volatility.

The frozen chicken market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides frozen chicken market statistics, including frozen chicken industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a frozen chicken market share, detailed frozen chicken market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the frozen chicken industry. This frozen chicken market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Major players in the frozen chicken market are Cargill Inc., JBS S.A., Tyson Foods Inc., The Kraft Heinz Company, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Hormel Foods LLC, BRF S.A., Perdue Farms Inc., Industrias Bachoco S.A.B. de C.V., Koch Foods, House of Raeford Farms Inc., 2 Sisters Food Group, Simmons Foods, Inghams Group Limited, Wayne Farms LLC, Mountaire Farms, Amick Farms LLC, Farbest Foods Inc., Sadia S.A., Kee Song Online.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the frozen chicken market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in frozen chicken report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the frozen chicken market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The frozen chicken market consists of sales of chicken meat, chicken cuts, and processed chicken products. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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