Chicken leg prices across Asia rose sharply in December, driven by tight supply in Japan and mixed conditions elsewhere. Chicken leg prices in Asia rose sharply in December, climbing from USD 2600/ton on November 28 to USD 2890/ton by December 31. Data from Platts of S&P Global Energy shows a 15% month-on-month increase and a 58% year-on-year rise, reflecting tightening supply conditions in several importing markets.
Japan: Strong demand meets tight supply
Japan’s chicken market remained firm throughout December, by robust demand and persistently high prices. Brazil-origin boneless chicken legs were particularly sought after, with Platts assessments peaking at USD 2900/ton in late December.
Market participants noted that Brazilian suppliers offered limited volumes after heavy exports to Japan in 2024. In 2025, tighter supply in Brazil, combined with strong domestic and export demand, reduced availability for Japanese buyers.
“If we don’t accept Brazilian suppliers’ prices, securing sufficient volume becomes difficult,” a Japanese importer said, citing intense competition among buyers.
Additional demand pressure came from Japan’s blanket ban on Spanish pork due to African swine fever. Traders said the ban shifted protein consumption toward chicken. Importers also expressed concern about 2026 inventories, with seasonal demand expected to extend into spring. Alternative sourcing from Thailand provided little relief due to comparable pricing and limited production capacity.
South Korea: Oversupply risks weigh on market
In contrast, South Korea’s chicken market showed a bearish tone in December. Demand for Brazilian boneless chicken legs weakened amid heavy arrivals following the lifting of the ban on imports from Brazil.
Importers reported an influx of shipments and rising oversupply risks. A weak local currency further compressed margins, leaving domestic market conditions soft despite elevated international prices.
“Demand is expected to stay low as Brazilian suppliers’ prices remain high, and we cannot absorb those costs,” a South Korean importer said. Imported boneless leg prices were reported at approximately USD 3.20/kg.
China expects price easing
China’s poultry market is expected to ease as pork prices weaken, according to S&P Global Energy Cera analysts. In November, live chicken prices fell 2% year over year to around USD 2.95/kg, while feed costs declined 2.2% to approximately USD 0.58/kg.
Analysts said favorable feed margins are likely to support higher chicken production in 2026. Stable feed costs are expected to continue into early next year, reinforcing production growth.
Southeast Asia: Mixed outlook
In Indonesia, poultry supply-demand conditions remained broadly balanced. However, producers expressed concern over new government regulations affecting breeding stock quotas, feed imports, and key ingredients such as soybean meal. Rising intervention, they warned, could disrupt feed cost management. Corn and soybean meal account for 50% and 20-30% of feed costs, respectively.
In Thailand, broiler prices declined 8.4% year-on-year in November, while feed costs fell 10.3%, supporting producer margins. Thai chicken meat exports are forecast to rise 5.4% to 1.3 million tons in 2026, driven by slower domestic wage growth and improved access to Japan and South Korea.
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