Chicken meat Industry
The Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation estimates the gross value of Queensland’s poultry production in 2010–11 is forecast at $370 million. An estimated 102 million chickens were slaughtered in Queensland in 2009–10 (based on initial ABS livestock slaughter data). According to the Australian Chicken Meat Federation, Australian farms produced 843,759 tonnes of chicken meat in 2010-11 from about 491 million birds. Queensland accounts for 18% of total slaughterings and 17% of total chicken meat produced.
Australia-wide poultry production has been increasing by approximately 4% per year and Queensland is expected to witness a similar increase in poultry production during 2010–11.
Poultry consumption is forecast to be around 39 kilograms per person in 2010–11, which is 2% higher than in the previous year. Consumption is projected to grow to 42 kilograms per person by 2014–15. “The relative inexpensiveness of poultry when compared to other protein sources is likely to ensure it maintains its position as the most consumed meat on a carcass-weight equivalent basis,” DEEDI says in its Prospects report.