POULTRY ANTIBIOTIC MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Challenges And Opportunities

Poultry Antibiotic Market Drivers:

• Increasing demand for poultry products: The global population is increasing, and so is the demand for protein sources, including poultry products. This has led to a rise in poultry production, which in turn has increased the demand for antibiotics to prevent and treat poultry diseases. For instance, according to the World Animal Foundation Organization, in August 2023, there were around 34.4 billion chickens in the world as of June 2023. The U.S. leads the world in chicken production with 9.22 billion chickens per year. There are four chickens for every person on earth.
• Prevalence of various poultry diseases: Poultry diseases such as avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and coccidiosis are common and can have a significant impact on poultry production. Antibiotics are often used to prevent and treat these diseases, driving demand for antibiotics in the poultry industry. For instance, according to the World Health Organization report 2023, in 2022, 67 countries across five continents reported H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza outbreaks in poultry and wild birds to the World Organization for Animal Health, with over 131 million domestic fowl killed or culled in afflicted farms and communities.
• Rise in animal health concerns: Consumers are increasingly concerned about the health and welfare of animals, including those in the poultry industry. This has led to a greater focus on disease prevention and treatment, which in turn has increased demand for antibiotics. For instance, according to the Stop Food Borne Illness Organization, a survey was conducted in April 2022, asking about perceptions of Salmonella in poultry. The survey quantified the high level of public concern about food safety and demonstrated that lawmakers must take action to address this public health issue, beginning with Salmonella. The survey found strong support for poultry food safety reform. Almost the same 86% of the respondents wanted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement stronger rules in chicken production to reduce Salmonella-related infections.  
• Technological advancements in the poultry industry: Advances in technology have led to improved methods of poultry production, including more intensive production methods. These methods can increase the risk of disease transmission and therefore increase the need for antibiotics. For instance, in September 2023, Poultry Tech Summit, the essential global event for collaborating on next-generation technologies, will be held in Georgia, U.S., on November 6-8, 2023, and will provide an opportunity to explore new innovations that address poultry industry challenges such as coccidiosis, Salmonella, and labor shortages. Furthermore, panelists will explore technology and the future of HPAI control, as well as the problems and technological solutions for egg production, poultry processing, and meat bird production.

Poultry Antibiotic Market Restraints:

• Concerns about antibiotic resistance: The overuse of antibiotics in the poultry industry has led to concerns about antibiotic resistance, which can have serious implications for human health. This has led to increased regulation and a shift towards alternative disease prevention and treatment strategies, such as vaccines. For instance, in January 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim's U.S. Animal Health Business, a global pharmaceutical company, launched a vaccine to protect poultry from three illnesses. VAXXITEK HVT+IBD+ND builds a strong immunological foundation and provides enhanced protection against Marek's disease, infectious bursal disease (classic and variant kinds), and Newcastle disease.
• Adoption of alternative disease prevention and treatment strategies: The adoption of alternative disease prevention and treatment strategies, such as artificial intelligence and other technologies, is reducing the demand for antibiotics in the poultry industry. For instance, in September 2022, scientists at the University of Nottingham in China employed machine learning to discover novel ways to identify and target sickness in poultry farms, reducing the requirement for antibiotic treatment and the danger of antibiotic resistance spreading to human populations. The fast expansion in chicken production to fulfill rising demand in China has led to the widespread and indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
• Stringent regulations: Governments and regulatory bodies around the world are increasingly regulating the use of antibiotics in the poultry industry, in order to combat antibiotic resistance and protect human health. This is leading to greater scrutiny and restrictions on the use of antibiotics in animal feed.

Poultry Antibiotic Market Opportunities:

• Expansion into emerging markets: As standards of living improve in emerging markets, there is a corresponding increase in demand for animal protein sources, including poultry. This presents an opportunity for companies to expand their presence in these markets and capture a share of the growing demand. For instance, according to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for 2022, Poultry is one of the fastest-growing segments of the agricultural sector in India. The production of eggs and broilers has been increasing at a rate of 8 to 10% every year. Furthermore, during the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported 664,753.46 metric tons (MT) of poultry products to the world for a total value of Rs. 1,081.62 crores or US$ 134.0 million.
• Investment in research and development: Investment in research and development can lead to the development of new and improved antibiotics and other products for disease prevention and treatment in the poultry industry. This can help companies stay ahead of the competition and meet the changing needs of consumers and regulators. For instance, in March 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced an investment of more than US$13 million in research into breakthrough cures and preventative techniques for animal illnesses that cost the agriculture industry billions of dollars globally. This newly funded research looks on illnesses that impact a wide variety of animals, from cattle, poultry, and pigs to horses, sheep, and fish.
• Adoption of sustainable production practices: Sustainable production practices, such as organic and free-range farming, are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. This presents an opportunity for companies to differentiate themselves by offering antibiotic-free or reduced-antibiotic products.