BRF expands chilled chicken production in Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA – Brazil’s BRF has introduced its first line of chilled chicken produced locally in Saudi Arabia as part of a strategy to expand its footprint in the Gulf nation.

The company said on Wednesday that it aims to capture 10% of the Saudi chilled chicken market within 18 months, signaling a move to rely less on exports and instead serve the market from within the country.

Demand for chilled chicken in Saudi Arabia exceeded 300,000 metric tons in 2024, according to BRF, which cited estimates from research firm Mordor Intelligence forecasting annual growth of between 2.5% and 3.5% through to 2030.

The company’s efforts to expand in Saudi Arabia include operating a production plant in Dammam and building a second facility in Jeddah to process a wider range of meat products.

BRF’s Sadia brand already holds a strong position in the Middle East, being the top brand in 14 countries across the region.

This launch follows a broader trend of increasing chicken consumption in Saudi Arabia, where the population consumes around 1.6 million metric tons of chicken each year.

Annual per capita consumption is about 49 kilograms, placing the kingdom among the highest consumers of chicken globally, based on figures from Amazon Web Services.

The market is largely made up of fresh chicken, which accounts for around 59% of sales, while frozen chicken makes up the remaining 41%.

Although demand for frozen chicken is gradually declining, overall poultry consumption continues to rise, driven by population growth and changing preferences toward protein-based diets.

Shift Toward Fresh Chicken Products

Local production initiatives supported by the Saudi government are also contributing to the shift from frozen to fresh chicken, with more companies establishing in-country operations.

These changes are being felt across both household demand and the HORECA sector, which includes hotels, restaurants, and catering businesses.

By producing chilled chicken locally, BRF aims to align more closely with evolving consumer habits and reduce delivery times to the market.

No financial details were disclosed, but the company has previously committed significant investments to its Middle East operations, including a plant acquisition valued at US$18 million.

The chilled chicken rollout is BRF’s latest step in building a stronger presence in one of its most important international markets.

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