Poultry eating into pork's dominance in China's Yangtze River Delta
Affordability, health perceptions shift Chinese meat preferences
5 June 2026
1 minute read
By: Poultry consumption in China's Yangtze River Delta is growing steadily, gaining market share from pork, according to a report released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
Data from the Chinese National Statistics Bureau show that per capita poultry consumption in China increased from 8.4 kg in 2015 to 12.5 kg in 2024 — meaning the average Chinese consumer now eats about 1.5 times as much poultry as they did a decade ago. Pork, historically the dominant meat in China, now accounts for 68% of major meat consumption, with chicken at 18% and beef at 14%.
The shift is driven by poultry's lower cost, versatility and perceived health benefits, with pork price volatility accelerating substitution. The Yangtze River Delta region — comprising Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui — represents about a quarter of China's GDP, with average per capita disposable income 1.5 times the national average, driving strong demand for higher-value animal proteins.
Foodservice expansion, e-commerce development and cold-chain improvements are identified as key drivers of demand, particularly for convenient and value-added poultry products.
