Consumption of poultry products globally is on the rise. It is predicted that between 2013 and 2023 the industry will grow at a rate of 3.2% per year, with uptake set to increase faster than pork and beef products.
Crystal Lake Farms may produce slow-growth chickens, but it has experienced fast-growing success; its acquisition by West Liberty Foods provides the stimulus to advance its "Better Bird" mission further and even faster.
Crystal Lake Farms already had put together an impressive run of success as retailers and foodservice operators committed to offering slow-growth chicken products — and West Liberty Foods saw an opportunity to add to its portfolio a premium offering, as well as its first retail brand.
Poultry retains its place as a consumer favorite, and the industry continues to produce more chicken and turkey products in response — but price pressures remain real, and new markets must be leveraged for the industry to take the next step.
With a continued growing economy and employment environment, demand for chicken and competing meats will most likely see 2018 build on the success experienced in 2017, says Tom Super, senior vice president of communications for the National Chicken Council (NCC), Washington, D.C.