Domestic chicken production and consumption will rise, with the latest Department of Agriculture (ABARES) report forecasting a four kilo per capita consumption increase between 2015 and 2020.

Meanwhile, domestic output will grow to 1.32 million tonnes, up from 1.08 million tonnes last year.

This maintains a decade's growth trend up to 2013/14 of three per cent a year on average.

Exports will remain low, currently at four per cent, lifting as a result of a strong production, taking shipments to 47,400 tonnes by 2019-2020, the report said.

“Chicken meat exports are forecast to increase by 14 per cent in 2014–15 to 40 500 tonnes (shipped weight) and a further 3 per cent in 2015–16 to 41 600 tonnes.,” said the report.

“Forecast growth in domestic production will contribute to an increase in supply of frozen cuts and offal for export. Demand for these products in South-East Asia and the Pacific is expected to rise in the short term.”

The report said “strong productivity growth” over successive decades has kept chicken prices below that of competing proteins for the consumer, who is now preferring fresh over frozen product.

This outlook confirms industry perceptions, according to the Australian Chicken Meat Federation.

Their executive director, Dr Andres Dubs, said: “Consumers appreciate the good value that chicken represents but also appreciate the consistent quality, convenience, versatility and nutritional qualities of chicken meat.”