An analysis of opportunities and challenges in poultry sector in Global and Indian perspectives

The Poultry Industry has emerged as the fastest growing segment of the livestock sector both globally and in India. As the world human population grows, expected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050, consumption of livestock products is also increasing. Influenced by various other consumption drivers, diets are changing in favour of products of animal origin, particularly the poultry products. Both USDA and OECD indicate that both India's and global per capita consumption of poultry meat is growing, and chicken is India's preferred non-vegetarian protein source.

The poultry sector offers opportunities in various poultry products (from eggs as well as from poultry meat). Global Poultry meat consumption is projected for 47% increase in 2022 compared to the average of 2003–13 which shows that the market is growing very fast. More than 50% of India's current population is below the age of 25. Coupled with the slow but gradual shift from vegetarianism to non vegetarianism, people in this age group are high potential consumers. India is one of the countries in the world which can guarantee non-GMO chicken to the customers in European Union. However, the various challenges, threats and weaknesses of the sector including: diseases, high feed costs, poor marketing infrastructure, regional imbalances in production, among others should be diligently addressed and the strengths of the sector well exploited so as to harness the opportunities. Otherwise, the poultry sector offers a bright future. A future right in our hands to shape.