Frozen Chicken Market Report 2026

The frozen chicken market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $27.17 billion in 2025 to $30.15 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of organized retail food distribution, increasing urbanization and busy lifestyles, growth in quick service restaurant consumption, rising preference for long shelf-life protein products, improvements in freezing and preservation technologies.

The frozen chicken market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $45.34 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for convenient protein-rich foods, rising penetration of online grocery platforms, growing focus on sustainable poultry farming, expansion of frozen food consumption in emerging markets, increasing investment in advanced cold chain infrastructure. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for ready-to-cook frozen poultry products, expansion of cold chain storage and logistics, increasing focus on food safety and traceability standards, rising adoption of portion-controlled frozen chicken cuts, product innovation in marinated and value-added chicken.

The rising consumer preference for convenient and ready-to-cook food products is expected to drive growth in the frozen chicken market going forward. Convenient and ready-to-cook foods are pre-prepared or partially cooked items designed to reduce meal preparation time while providing ease of use, consistent quality, and extended shelf life. This preference is fueled by fast-paced lifestyles, as consumers seek quick and hassle-free dining options without compromising on nutrition. Frozen chicken meets these expectations by offering a versatile, easily accessible, and quick-to-prepare protein source. For instance, in April 2024, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), a US-based trade association, total industry foodservice sales accounted for 26.9% of in-store sales in 2023, up from 25.6% in 2022, with prepared food sales increasing by 12.2% per store per month. Therefore, the rising demand for convenient and ready-to-cook foods is driving the frozen chicken market.

Major companies in the frozen chicken market are focusing on innovative products such as pre-cooked coated frozen chicken items to enhance convenience, ensure consistent quality, and meet the demand for quick-prep, premium poultry options. Pre-cooked coated frozen chicken products are fully cooked, seasoned, and coated with a crispy breaded or battered layer, allowing consumers and foodservice operators to save time, maintain food safety, and deliver high-quality meals. For instance, in May 2025, Roosterz&Co, a Netherlands-based brand, launched its Homestyle Chicken collection, featuring hand-cut, pre-cooked chicken pieces coated in homestyle breading that provides a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Each item is individually quick frozen (IQF) to preserve texture and flavor, and the range includes burgers, tenders, nuggets, and fingers that can be baked, air-fried, or deep-fried directly from the freezer, reducing prep time and waste while increasing menu versatility.

In July 2025, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, a US-based poultry-processing and food manufacturing company, acquired Harrison Poultry for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables Wayne-Sanderson Farms to expand its production capacity, broaden its product portfolio, and integrate Harrison Poultry’s established processing, feed-mill, and distribution infrastructure. Harrison Poultry is a US-based company specializing in raising, processing, and marketing chicken.

Major companies operating 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 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the frozen chicken market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, 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, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.