Sustainability indicators in a globalised poultry sector: production, consumption, trade openness, and GDP across 126 countries

Abstract

The sustainability of the meat industry relies on consistent demand and the desire for meat. In recent years, chicken was produced around 104.2 million metric tons and expected to increase by 2% in the upcoming years with a record of 109.6 million tons worldwide. Also, global chicken meat export will increase by 3% with a record of around 14.7 million tons. Therefore, this research focuses on investigating the causal relationships that have a significant impact on chicken production, considering independent variables as chicken consumption, trade openness, and GDP. This study is conducted across several income groups, encompassing 126 countries, for a 30-year period from 1993 to 2022. To strengthen the study, the demand theory and international trade theory were utilised. This study employs multiple methodologies, including panel Granger analysis, cross-country Granger causality analysis to identify the direction of causality, and thereafter the Wavelet coherence analysis to determine the time variance and the nature of the coherence between the variables. According to the study, the results have revealed unidirectional relationships between production and trade openness, chicken meat consumption, and GDP. Accordingly, policy suggestions are provided for farmers, policymakers, relevant organisations, and legislators to make an impact on the chicken meat industry by enhancing production, optimising operations, and maintaining high quality to improve nutritional value. All the implementation suggestions are given to support the Sustainable Development Goals, established by the United Nations.