India’s Poultry Industry – Past Perfect; Future Tense

Overview of India’s Poultry Sector

India is a global leader in poultry production: 

• 2nd largest egg producer in the world
• 6th largest chicken meat producer

Poultry Population 2024: 

• Layers / Egg Producing Birds; Around 300 million egg-laying hens with Babcock and Hyline being the leading global brands of Layers in India
• Broilers; Around 5 billion broiler chickens were raised for meat with Cobb and Ross leading the market as key broiler brands
• Breeders / Parent Birds; Around 450 million breeder birds, across Cobb, Babcok, Ross and Hyline
• Indian Backyard Chickens – around 30 million backyard birds are part of the local poultry ecosystem

Feed Consumption

• The poultry sector consumed around 32 million tons of feed in 2024, locally produced by a large number of local Indian companies including Major Integrators

Poultry Products Consumption in India
Per capita consumption in India currently averages:

• 7.4 kg of broiler chicken meat
• 103 eggs per capita per year

Future Expectations and Growth Projections

• India’s population of 1.4 billion continues to grow, with increasing attention on food security
• Eggs and chicken have now found acceptance across a wide range of communities and households

By 2025-26, estimates suggest: 

•  327 million egg-laying hens
• 5.5 billion broiler chickens

Chicken Feed Components’ requirements will rise to: 

• 23.5 million tons of maize
• 7.3 million tons of soybean meal

The Central Role of Maize

Maize forms the backbone of poultry feed, contributing to over 70% of the feed composition. Its role is crucial not just for growth but also for enhancing the quality of eggs and meat. However, maize is now also being diverted to other sectors, notably:

• Ethanol production: ~17 million tonnes projected requirement
• Dairy sector: ~7.3 million tonnes
• Starch industry: Over 10 million tonnes

Projections for maize demand and production: 2025-26 

• Demand: 52 million tonnes
• Estimated production: 36 million tonnes

2030-31: 

• Demand: 80 million tonnes
• Estimated production: 49 million tons

The gap between demand and supply is growing at an alarming rate, putting pressure on prices and threatening the sustainability of the poultry industry.

Conclusion

India’s poultry industry is at a crossroads. With maize making up the bulk of poultry feed, the rising demand from alternative sectors like ethanol and starch production has significantly inflated both demand and price. Unless structural policy changes—such as permitting the import of GM maize and soybean—are implemented, India risks falling behind its neighboring competitors who already have such provisions in place.