Poultry

Pork and beef demand might see contraction.

While cyclical and structural factors will continue to affect animal protein production in 2026, demand will rise by 14% by 2035, said Nan-Dirk Mulder, senior global specialist in animal protein at Rabobank while speaking at AFMA’s 12th Animal Feed Conference at Sun City

With long-term demand mostly driven by poultry and eggs, the world will seek animal protein largely from emerging markets, especially Asia, Latin America and Africa. 

For now, seafood is leading production growth, followed by poultry, as pork and beef might see contraction, marking the first reduction in global terrestrial species output in six years. Mulder said that Rabobank is expecting a tight cattle supply with high prices, with the poultry industry looking strong, especially when considering global animal protein consumption.

“The animal protein market will grow by 1,4% per year, and in 2026 this growth will be driven by poultry, eggs, and seafood,” he said.

“While we expect feed costs to remain steady, in both mature and developing markets, a focus on increasing efficiency and productivity will be critical at the farm and processor level.”

Geopolitical volatilities are impacting trade policies, and new agreements can provide a boost to the industry.

“El Niño weather risk is rising for the rest of the year, and although the phenomenon leads to drier conditions in the Southern Hemisphere, it normally also leads to more bullish prices,” he said. 

Retech provides integrated automated layer farming systems.

Poultry farm modernisation solution provider for Nigerian farmers, Retech Farming, can convert traditional layer houses into modern automated systems

The company provides integrated automated layer farming systems. Higher-density housing, automated equipment and controlled production environments replace open-style Type A simple cages with a limited capacity for 5,000 chickens. 

While this works for small-scale startups requiring low initial investment and technical requirements for quick construction, this conventional method relies on natural ventilation, manual feeding and egg collection. It comes with stocking density and space limitations, even when labour costs remain high. There's no way of contolling temperature stability and humidity, making egg production uncertain and prone to diseases.

Retech Farming offers:

- Traditional chicken house assessment

- Chicken house design upgrade

- Steel structure construction

- H-type layer hen cage system

- Automatic feeding, watering, manure removal and egg collection system

- Environmental control system

- Installation and commissioning

These services support the transition from traditional poultry houses to integrated automated layer farming systems.

From 5,000 traditional open A-type cages to 50,000 chickens in a single building increases breeding scale by 10 times. The closed H-type multi-tier fully automatic layer cages maximise land utilisation through cascading design. This dramatically boosts egg production per unit area while reducing unit egg production costs.

Retech’s closed steel structure chicken coop, combined with an automatic environmental control system, can isolate wild birds and mosquitoes, reduce the risk of disease invasion such as avian influenza, and provide more precise temperature and humidity control.

This approach can help stabilise the egg production rate and extend the peak egg production period. 

Retech aims to revolutionise Nigeria’s egg-laying hen industry by ensuring eggshell cleanliness, size uniformity, and uninteruppted supply. Its real-world farm upgrade project will help core consumer markets like Lagos and Abuja meet increasingly stringent sourcing standards.

Sayyad Poultry is producing broiler chicks since 1970. (Image source: Aviagen)

Aviagen Turkiye, Middle East & Africa (TMEA) is celebrating a significant milestone with its long-standing distributor in Syria, Sayyad Poultry, which marks 30 years as an authorised distributor of the Ross 308

The anniversary reflects three decades of collaboration built on trust, resilience and a shared commitment to supporting the poultry industry in Syria.

Having entered the poultry industry in 1970 producing broiler chicks, Sayyad Poultry earned a strong reputation for quality and professionalism. By the late 1990s, that reputation led to an important milestone when the company received its first Ross 308 Grandparent (GP) shipment, establishing the formal relationship with Aviagen that continues today.

Over the past 30 years, Sayyad Poultry has played an important role in supplying high-quality Ross 308 breeding stock to producers throughout Syria. Despite periods of economic uncertainty and regional conflict, the company has remained committed to maintaining high standards of flock health, biosecurity and customer support, helping poultry producers continue to succeed under challenging conditions.

“Our longstanding collaboration is a testament to the strength of our relationship and the shared values that have guided us throughout the years,” said Bulent Tanyildizi, business manager - Middle East & North Africa (MENA). “Their resilience, professionalism and unwavering commitment to supporting poultry producers, even during the most challenging circumstances, have made them an invaluable part of the Aviagen family. We look forward to continuing our collaboration for many years to come.”

The Ross 308 has played an important role in that relationship, delivering consistent performance that has supported Sayyad Poultry’s growth and success. Renowned for delivering reliable results under demanding regional conditions, the Ross 308 has enabled the company to expand from broiler production into GP and parent stock (PS) operations, while continuing to provide customers with confidence in their flock performance.

One of Sayyad Poultry’s proudest achievements has been maintaining disease-free, flocks and high standards of biosecurity throughout periods of regional instability, while rebuilding and expanding its operations to meet the country’s growing parent stock requirements. Throughout the changing needs of the poultry industry, Sayyad Poultry has remained focused on delivering reliable genetics while supporting food security and the long-term success of its customers.

Reflecting on the milestone, Ghaleb Sayyad, Owner, Sayyad Poultry commented, “For the past 30 years, the Ross 308 has been the backbone of our business. Its consistent performance and Aviagen’s ongoing support have given us the confidence to grow, even during the most challenging times. Together, we have supplied outstanding genetics, supported our customers and contributed to strengthening Syria’s poultry industry. We are proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to building on this success.”

Looking ahead, Sayyad Poultry continues to invest in expanding its infrastructure to meet increasing demand for parent stock while strengthening its contribution to national food security. The company is also extending its distribution activities into Lebanon, alongside continued investment in new facilities to support sustainable long-term growth.

As Aviagen and Sayyad Poultry celebrate this important anniversary, their relationship stands as a testament to the value of trusted collaboration, resilient operations and a shared commitment to helping poultry producers succeed. Together, both organisations remain focused on delivering high-quality genetics, expertise and customer support that will continue to support Syria’s poultry industry for generations to come.

Kenya's State Department for Livestock Development has selected more than 80 women's groups in Homa Bay as beneficiaries of its livestock empowerment programme launched across all 47 counties

Smallholder farmers in Homa Bay received improved KENBRO chicks as First Lady Rachel Ruto presided over the distribution. According to principal livestock production officer, Fred Oruru, these chicks add to the hardiness of local breeds, making them exceptionally disease-resilient, with a laying capacity of 200 and 280 eggs a year. That is a marked improvement in egg production compared with about 45 eggs from indigenous birds. They can also attain a weight of 2 to 2.5 kilogrammes in 3.5 months, compared with 1 to 1.5 kilogrammes in eight months for local breeds.

The upgraded breed will support 3.6 million households, especially women and youth, said Oruru. 

“With proper management, chicken farming can become one of the most profitable and sustainable ventures for smallholders in Homa Bay. The handover is not an end in itself but part of a continuous programme to transform the poultry industry nationally,” he said.

Ruto defined the initiative as transformational for the region's livestock sector as it will boost food security, nutrition and household incomes.

“The women have been equipped with skills to build viable and sustainable enterprises. The programme will economically empower them and improve their source of livelihoods,” she said.

According to Ruto, women must see agriculture more than just food source for their families and take it as a opportunity for wealth creation that can sustain generations. 

Overall the programme will be benefitting 1,200 women groups by providing livelihood support through sustainable enterprises promotion for increased household incomes.

“A society where women are empowered progresses. We support the programme because it is a way of sustaining the livelihoods of people,” said Homa Bay's Governor, Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga while speaking of advancing financial inclusion and enterprise development through the initiative.