Chicken sausages are made using ground chicken, which is stuffed inside a cylindrical, edible casing and flavored using parsley, sage, and other herbs. Chicken sausages are a good source of protein and contain lower fat than pork-based sausages. The rising demand for high-protein and low-fat snacking items due to increasing health and wellness concerns is driving the chicken sausages market growth. The prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and other diseases is increasing due to the stagnant and stressful lifestyle of people. Therefore, to prevent such diseases, people are altering their dietary habits and including high-protein and low-calorie foods in their diets. Chicken is a lean form of meat protein and contains less fat than pork and beef. Consumers are inclined toward chicken-based products as they are cutting fat and increasing their protein intake. This factor is expected to boost the chicken sausages market over the coming years.
Europe held the largest share of the global chicken sausages market in 2022. Asia Pacific is expected to record the highest CAGR in the chicken sausages market from 2022 to 2030. The rapidly expanding food & beverages sector in countries such as China, Japan, and India creates a notable demand for chicken sausages. Changing dietary preferences, the influence of Western culture and eating habits, and the emergence of snacking trends are a few of the key factors driving the chicken sausages market growth across Asia Pacific.
Rising Popularity of Processed Meat Products to Provide Lucrative Opportunities to Chicken Sausages Market
Processed meat products have gained traction in recent years owing to an increasing preference for convenient and packaged food. Processes such as salting, smoking, and curing are used to enhance the taste and retain other qualities of these meat products. Owing to the increasing salaried population and fast-paced lifestyle, the demand for processed meat products is increasing. Sausages are among the most popular meat products, especially among the younger population and working professionals. According to sales data from the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council for 2022, US consumers spent more money on processed meat products such as chicken sausages in retail stores in the country. The popularity of chicken-based sausage continues to increase as consumers prefer chicken over red meat because it is a healthier option.
Thus, the growing popularity of processed meat products is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the chicken sausages market growth during the forecasted period.
Chicken Sausages Market: Segmental Overview
Based on distribution channel, the chicken sausages market is segmented into supermarkets & hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retail, and others. The supermarkets & hypermarkets segment held the largest share of the chicken sausages market in 2022. Supermarkets & hypermarkets are large retail establishments that offer a wide range of products, such as groceries, beverages, meat-based products, and other household goods. Products from different brands are available at reasonable prices in these stores, allowing shoppers to find the right product quickly. Additionally, these stores offer attractive discounts, offers, multiple payment options, and a pleasant customer experience. Supermarkets & hypermarkets focus on maximizing product sales to increase their profit. Manufacturers of sausages usually prefer to sell their products through supermarkets and hypermarkets owing to their heavy customer base. Additionally, such stores have modern storage facilities that ensure ideal storage conditions for products with minimal shelf life. All these factors boost the demand for chicken sausages through supermarkets & hypermarkets, propelling the chicken sausages market growth.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Chicken Sausages Market
The COVID-19 pandemic affected almost all industries in various countries. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, and business shutdowns in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), South & Central America, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) resulted in restricted operations in several industries. The demand for natural and clean-label products increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers perceive natural products to be healthier than conventional ones. This factor propelled the growth of the chicken sausages market. Also, the online sales of grocery and ready-to-eat products increased as consumers stayed at home due to government mandates. This factor had a positive impact on the demand for chicken sausages. However, due to difficulty in raw material procurement due to supply chain disturbances and lockdown restrictions, there was a demand and supply gap, which hampered the profitability of many large and small-scale chicken sausage manufacturers.
In 2021, governments of various countries announced relaxation in lockdown restrictions and permitted the manufacturers to operate at full capacity. Thus, the manufacturers could procure raw materials smoothly and overcome the demand-supply gap. They further plan to expand their production capabilities due to the availability of resources and laborers in abundance after the relaxation of restrictions. All these factors had a positive impact on the chicken sausages market growth.
Chicken Sausages Market: Competitive Landscape
Tyson Foods Inc, Applegate Farms LLC, Boar’s Head Brand, Gilbert’s Craft Sausages, Kayem Foods Inc, Premio Foods, Bilinski’s Sausage Co, Jones Dairy Farm, JOHNSONVILLE LLC, and Amylu Foods are among the major players in the global chicken sausages market. They are focused on product innovation, expansion, merger and acquisition, and innovative marketing strategies, which are expected to open new growth opportunities in the coming years. For instance, in November 2023, JBS SA invested US$ 210.43 million to expand its breaded chicken and sausage production. The company established two new factories in Rolândia and Paraná region of Brazil. The company has planned to install modern equipment with fully automated machines in its sausage production plant. The company’s boosted its production capacity with an aim to meet the rising demand for chicken sausages and breaded chicken and expand its market share in the chicken sausages marketplace. Such strategic expansions are expected to positively influence the chicken sausages market growth in the coming years. The manufacturers of chicken sausages are also focusing on mergers and acquisitions to expand their customer base across different geographies and enhance their product portfolio. For instance, in February 2021, Tyson Foods Inc signed an agreement to acquire Williams Sausage Company with a strategic intent to expand its production capacity to serve its customers across the US. Thus, various strategic initiatives by the key manufacturers of chicken sausages are expected to boost the chicken sausages market during the forecast period.