On March 25, according to customs data, poultry meat imports reached 97,800 tons in February 2022, marking a month-on-month decline of 17.66% but a year-on-year increase of 1.12%. February's import volume was the highest in nearly six years.
Among these, frozen chicken feet remain the largest share of imports, with volumes reaching 47,500 tons—accounting for 48.57% of total imports. This represents a month-on-month decrease of 18.87%, but a year-on-year increase of 32.00%. Following closely are frozen chicken wings (excluding wing tips), totaling 23,000 tons, and bone-in frozen chicken pieces, which came in at 21,800 tons. Both categories saw month-on-month declines of 22.75% and 0.87%, respectively, while experiencing year-on-year growth of 11.34% and a drop of 35.10%. Combined, these three products directly account for 94.38% of the total imported meat-grade whole broiler chickens.
Data source: Steel Union Data
In January and February, poultry product imports totaled 216,600 tons, marking a 6.63% year-on-year decline. Brazil, the United States, Russia, and Argentina remained the top four sources of poultry imports, accounting for 46.27%, 26.81%, 8.73%, and 4.73% of the total, respectively. Following outbreaks of avian influenza at U.S. poultry farms, major importers of U.S. chicken products—including China, Mexico, and South Korea—have imposed targeted import restrictions on specific country-originated goods. Meanwhile, soaring global feed prices have driven up the cost of chicken products in regions like Brazil, Thailand, and Argentina throughout 2022, leading to a gradual increase in domestic import volumes—but also causing them to shrink relative to previous levels. Meanwhile, Russia has seen a slight drop in imports due to geopolitical challenges such as the ongoing regional conflict. These factors, combined with an oversupply situation in China’s domestic poultry market as producers cut back on output, have further pressured the industry. It was also expected that poultry meat imports in 2022 would be lower than in 2021.
Data Source: Ganglian Data
In February 2022, poultry product exports reached 30,000 tons, marking a month-on-month decline of 34.98% but a year-on-year increase of 3.54%. Notably, both January and February saw the highest export volumes in the past six years, with export growth steadily climbing.
Specifically, whole fresh or chilled chicken exports totaled 6,347.83 tons in February, accounting for 21.14% of the total and representing a significant month-on-month surge of 86.90%, though still down 9.49% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, exports of other processed or preserved chicken leg meat amounted to 6,443.39 tons, making up 21.45% of the total—down sharply by 50.73% from the previous month but declining more moderately by 5.88% year-on-year.
Exports of other processed or preserved chicken breast reached 5,581.86 tons, comprising 18.59% of the total—showing a notable month-on-month drop of 35.00%, yet posting a robust year-on-year increase of 39.13%. Finally, exports of other frozen chicken pieces hit 5,337.55 tons, representing 17.77% of the overall total—a substantial month-on-month decrease of 47.36%, though still up 30.37% compared to the same period last year.
Data source: Steel Union Data
In January, exports reached 46,200 tons, declining 2.53% from the previous month but surging 51.97% year-on-year. Although January’s exports fell slightly compared to the previous month, they remained at a historically high level in recent years. Meanwhile, poultry meat products exported a total of 76,200 tons in January and February combined, representing a robust 28.28% increase compared to the same period last year. The domestic poultry meat export trade deficit is gradually improving. Hong Kong and Macau in China remain key destinations for poultry product exports, with trade flows primarily concentrated in nearby Asia.
Source: Poultry Industry Information
