Global poultry trade continues to expand as demand for meat protein rises worldwide. While major producers dominate exports, import markets reflect consumption trends, population growth, and changing dietary preferences.
This post provides a detailed 2025 overview of the top poultry importing countries, including a bar chart, donut chart, and a full infographic.

2️⃣ Top Poultry Importing Countries by Volume – 2025
| Rank | Country | Import Volume (Million Metric Tons) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 3.2 | Asia |
| 2 | Japan | 1.1 | Asia |
| 3 | Mexico | 1.0 | Americas |
| 4 | Germany | 0.9 | Europe |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 0.8 | Middle East |
| 6 | United Kingdom | 0.7 | Europe |
| 7 | South Korea | 0.7 | Asia |
| 8 | UAE | 0.6 | Middle East |
| 9 | Italy | 0.5 | Europe |
| 10 | France | 0.5 | Europe |
Data sourced from FAO, ITC, USDA FAS 2025 estimates.


4️⃣ Key Insights
- China dominates global poultry imports, driven by population growth, urbanization, and domestic production gaps.
- Europe is a major importing region, with Germany, the UK, Italy, and France accounting for a significant portion of total volume.
- Middle East markets, especially Saudi Arabia and UAE, continue to grow due to high consumption per capita.
- Global poultry import trends reflect a balance between local production shortages and increasing demand for protein-rich diets.
World’s Largest Poultry Producers by Country 2025 is part of our Poultry Market Visual Insights series. For an overview of the global poultry industry, visit our Global Poultry Market Overview 2025: Production, Trade & Consumption (Visual Data) report.
5️⃣ Additional Resources / References
- FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization
- ITC Trade Map
- USDA FAS Global Agricultural Trade System
- OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025
6️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Which country imports the most poultry in 2025?
A1: China is the largest importer with approximately 3.2 million metric tons.
Q2: Which regions dominate global poultry imports?
A2: Asia leads, followed by Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.
Q3: Why do some countries import more poultry than they produce?
A3: Factors include population growth, urbanization, domestic production limits, and consumer demand for protein-rich diets.
Q4: How can I use this data for market analysis?
A4: Traders, producers, and investors can identify growth opportunities, export markets, and regional consumption trends.
Related Analysis: View Previous Industry Report