U.S. Poultry Exports Hit $8B in 2025

Poultry Takes Flight

In 2025, the U.S. poultry industry marked a new milestone: exports surpassed $8 billion, driven by booming demand in Mexico, China, and Southeast Asia. According to Bloomberg, poultry is now America’s second-largest agricultural export after soybeans, cementing its importance in global food trade.

While domestic inflation pressures weigh on consumers at home, international buyers continue to fuel growth, making poultry both an economic powerhouse and a strategic commodity.

Breaking Down the $8B in Exports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported:

Mexico remained the top buyer, purchasing $2.6B worth of U.S. chicken in 2025 (USDA).
China and Hong Kong accounted for $1.4B in imports, driven by strong demand for poultry cuts.
Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia) purchased over $1B combined, reflecting rising middle-class protein consumption (Reuters).
Africa showed fast growth, with Ghana and South Africa increasing imports by 22% year-over-year.

Altogether, poultry exports represented 12% of total U.S. farm trade, underscoring its role in the agricultural economy.

Why Poultry Demand Is So Strong

Several factors explain the global appetite for U.S. chicken:

Affordability: Poultry remains the cheapest animal protein worldwide, with prices averaging $1.50–$2.00 per pound in bulk trade (WSJ).
Halal Certification: U.S. suppliers expanded halal processing to serve Muslim-majority markets in Asia and the Middle East (Financial Times).
Supply Reliability: Unlike beef, poultry has shorter production cycles, making it more adaptable to global demand shifts.

The Economics of U.S. Poultry

Export Value: $8B in 2025, up from $7.3B in 2024 (Bloomberg).
Volume: Over 3.8 million metric tons shipped worldwide.
Domestic Consumption: U.S. consumers still eat an average of 96 pounds of chicken per person annually (Eater).
Profit Margins: Export shipments add 15–20% higher margins compared to domestic retail sales.

As Forbes noted, poultry is becoming a “strategic export hedge” for U.S. farmers facing volatile grain markets.

Mexico: The #1 Destination

Mexico alone imported 3.5 million metric tons of U.S. poultry in 2025, accounting for nearly one-third of exports. According to Reuters, strong demand for leg quarters and processed chicken products drove record shipments.

Rising middle-class incomes and shifts away from red meat have made poultry the protein of choice across Mexico.

Asia’s Expanding Appetite

China, Vietnam, and the Philippines represent the fastest-growing Asian markets:

China: Lifted bans on certain poultry cuts in 2024, leading to a 40% surge in imports.
Japan & South Korea: Premium demand for high-quality white meat for foodservice and quick-service restaurants (FT).

Trade Tensions and Policy Considerations

Despite growth, challenges remain:

Tariffs: Some Asian countries still impose poultry tariffs of 10–25%, squeezing exporters.
Avian Influenza Risks: Outbreaks in U.S. farms could trigger sudden import bans.
Sustainability Pressures: Environmental advocates warn of the carbon footprint from large-scale poultry farming (NYT).
Geopolitical Factors: Export restrictions, such as India’s grain controls, may indirectly affect feed prices and poultry production costs.

The Future of U.S. Poultry Exports

Analysts project continued strength:

Global poultry trade expected to grow to $60B by 2030 (Deloitte).
U.S. share of the market could expand from 18% to 22%.
Rising demand in Africa and Southeast Asia will drive diversification of markets.
Technology adoption (precision feeding, AI-driven farm management) will reduce costs and increase yields.

Conclusion: A Feathered Success Story

The record $8B in poultry exports underscores how chicken has become a cornerstone of U.S. trade. Affordable, versatile, and increasingly halal-friendly, it satisfies global tastes while supporting American farmers.

For Mexico and Asia, poultry isn’t just a commodity; it’s a growing staple of diets. For the U.S., it’s proof that even in a world of shifting trade dynamics, chicken is king of the export table.