Have your say about the Australian chicken meat industry review

Thursday, 25 September, 2025

In March 2025, ABARES was commissioned to conduct an independent review into the relationship between growers and integrated producers in the Australian chicken meat supply chain. It has now released its interim findings of this review, and is seeking feedback before it finalises its recommendations to the Australian Government.

The Australian poultry industry is estimated to be worth $4.2 billion in 2024‍–‍25, having grown at an average annual rate of 3.6% in real terms over the past 20 years.

Australia’s chicken meat industry is vertically integrated; integrated producers own most aspects of production while growers are contracted to grow out chickens.

The review’s interim report follows extensive consultation undertaken with the chicken meat industry between April and August 2025. Consultation has included integrated producers and growers, both large and small, across the country.

The review found very different perspectives between integrated producers and growers about the health of relationships and conduct within the industry.

The interim findings indicate that there are several issues that are impeding efficient market operation in the chicken meat industry, leading to market failure.

Several options have been raised in response to issues found within the industry in this interim report. These include: maintaining the status quo; further consideration of unfair contract terms; industry self-regulation; and a prescribed voluntary code of conduct or a mandatory code of conduct.

Response from industry

The Australian Poultry Industries Association (APIA), representing integrated chicken meat producers, has actively participated and cooperated with the ABARES review, and has now responded following the release of the interim report.

“The report has made a number of recommendations and outlined options to improve the long-term sustainability of the sector, including in areas to enhance resource allocation and attract further industry investment,” said APIA Executive Director Dr Mary Wu.

“While APIA strongly disputes the existence of conditions leading to market failure, it will carefully consider and provide feedback on the ABARES interim report as part of the review consultation process.

“In particular, APIA will seek to ensure that the impact of any potential regulatory intervention is carefully costed out and provided to the government, especially the likely cost-of-living flow-through impacts for everyday consumers.”