Global Chicken Feet Market: Opportunities and Challenges in the Middle East
Overview of the Global Chicken Feet Market
Chicken feet, considered a low-value byproduct in many developed countries, enjoy high demand in East and Southeast Asian countries. This cultural and culinary difference has created a golden opportunity for export and foreign currency earnings for Middle Eastern producers.
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Main Consumer Markets: China is recognized as the world’s largest consumer and importer of chicken feet. This product holds a special place in Chinese culinary culture and is widely used in the food, cosmetic-hygiene, and pharmaceutical industries. Besides China, countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Armenia are also key export destinations.
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Global Competitors: Brazil, Russia, and the United States are among the largest exporters of chicken feet to China. For example, in 2023, Brazil and the US each exported approximately $650 million worth of chicken feet to China, while Russia exported $645 million.
The Middle East as a Production and Export Hub
In the Middle East region, Iran is a major player in chicken feet production and export.
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Iran’s Production Capacity: Iran produces approximately 180,000 tons of chicken feet annually. Of this amount, about 130,000 tons are consumed domestically, and the remainder, roughly 50,000 tons, has export potential.
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Economic Value: Assuming the export of 50,000 tons and considering the global price of this product (around $37 per kilogram), there is a potential for foreign currency earnings of about $460 million annually for Iran. Direct exports to China alone could generate $150 to $300 million in foreign currency earnings.
Market Analysis and Supply Chain
Success in this trade requires adherence to strict standards and establishing a reliable supply chain.
Quality Standards and Packaging
Product quality is one of the most important determining factors in global markets. Quality standards are typically defined based on Grades A, A+, and A++.
Feature Grade A Grade A+ Grade A++
Minimum Weight 30 grams 35 grams 35 grams
Breakage Rate Less than 3% Less than 3% Less than 3%
Staining or Bruising Maximum 5% Less than 3% Less than 3%
The product must be free of nails, crushing, cuts, and wounds. Packaging should be in 10 kg hygienic polyethylene bags, then in sturdy 20 kg cartons. Labeling in English and the language of the destination country must include all essential information.
Logistics and Cold Chain
Maintaining the cold chain from the slaughterhouse to the destination market is crucial.
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Freezing: The product must be frozen using IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) or BQF (Block Quick Freezing) methods at temperatures below -18°C.
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Transportation: The product is mainly transported via 40-foot refrigerated containers, typically by sea route (e.g., from Bandar Abbas to Asian destinations). This route takes an average of 30 to 35 days.
Challenges and Export Development Strategies
Although this industry is profitable, it also faces challenges.
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Dependence on the Chinese Market: Heavy reliance on a single market carries high risk.
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Strict Health Regulations: Veterinary organizations of destination countries, such as China’s GACC and Vietnam’s DAH, have stringent health standards, and exporting factories must be registered with these organizations.
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High Logistics Costs: The cost of refrigerated transport is very high.
Key Strategies for Success
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Market Diversification: Besides China, new markets such as Russia, Kazakhstan, and African countries should be targeted.
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Quality Improvement and Branding: Invest in producing Grade A++ products and develop specific, attractive packaging for each market.
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Direct Export and Protocol Compliance: Avoid indirect exports and smuggling, and fully adhere to the health protocols of the destination country to build long-term trust.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The global chicken feet market presents a unique economic opportunity for producer countries in the Middle East. Iran, with its strong production base in the poultry industry, can capture a larger share of this market by focusing on quality, adherence to international standards, and diversifying its markets. Moving from the export of raw products towards exporting higher value-added products can make this industry one of the main pillars of non-oil exports.
We hope this comprehensive analysis can serve as a suitable roadmap for stakeholders in this field. If you wish to gain more in-depth information about specific aspects of this market, I can provide further details.
NONADSHOP GROUP
ACCORDING HIS EXPERIMENT
in export chicken feet to all the world ready for help to buyer of chicken feet in all the world.
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Diversifying Target Markets: Beyond traditional markets like Iraq and Russia, new markets such as China, India, and Central Asian countries can also be targeted.
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Utilizing Modern Technology: Adopting state-of-the-art technologies like Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and aeration systems can significantly increase productivity and reduce production costs.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Iran’s trout farming industry, backed by a strong production foundation and global top rank, stands on the brink of a major transformation. By moving away from traditional methods and shifting towards producing value-added by-products like caviar, oil, and leather, it is possible not only to overcome domestic challenges like production costs but also to achieve a stable and highly profitable position in the international market. The future of this industry depends on investing in technology, branding, and a precise understanding of global market needs.
We hope this analysis serves as a suitable roadmap for stakeholders in this field. If you wish to obtain more information about any of the mentioned products or strategies, I can provide more detailed technical and market analysis information.
NONADSHOP GROUP
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