Economic Survey reports steady growth in poultry, egg and meat production as commercial farming continues to drive the sector

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s poultry population rose to an estimated 2.474 billion birds during the fiscal year 2025-26, while egg and poultry meat production also posted healthy growth, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26.

The latest survey indicates that the poultry industry maintained its expansion, supported by continued investment in commercial poultry farming, which remained the principal driver of production growth.

Commercial poultry drives industry expansion

Commercial poultry continued to dominate Pakistan’s poultry sector during FY2025-26, recording increases across all major production indicators.

According to the survey:

• Commercial poultry population increased to 2.164 billion birds, up from 1.969 billion in FY2024-25.

• Broiler population rose to 2.267 billion from 2.061 billion.

• Layer birds increased to 89.72 million, compared with 83.90 million a year earlier.

• Breeding stock expanded to 18.31 million from 17.44 million.

• Day-old chick production climbed to 2.368 billion, up from 2.153 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Commercial poultry egg production reached 23.39 billion eggs during FY2025-26, compared with 21.88 billion a year earlier.

Likewise, commercial poultry meat production increased to 2.686 million tonnes, up from 2.445 million tonnes in FY2024-25.

Domestic poultry records moderate growth

Pakistan’s domestic or rural poultry segment also registered steady expansion during the fiscal year.

The survey showed:

• Domestic poultry population increased to 98.48 million birds from 96.98 million.

• Cocks numbered 14.69 million, compared with 14.30 million.

• Hens rose to 48.88 million from 48.02 million.

• Chickens increased slightly to 34.91 million from 34.66 million.

Egg production from domestic poultry reached 4.889 billion eggs, up from 4.802 billion in the previous year.

Domestic poultry meat production also improved to 140,470 tonnes, compared with 137,720 tonnes in FY2024-25.

Meanwhile, the duck population remained broadly unchanged at 0.31 million birds. However, duck egg production declined marginally to 13.32 million from 13.89 million, while duck meat production eased to 400 tonnes from 420 tonnes.

Overall poultry production rises

The Economic Survey highlighted continued growth across Pakistan’s poultry industry during FY2025-26.

Indicator	FY2024-25	FY2025-26
Total day-old chicks	2.187 billion	2.403 billion
Total poultry birds	2.260 billion	2.474 billion
Total egg production	26.696 billion	28.279 billion

Total poultry meat production  2.583 million tonnes 2.826 million tonnes

The survey noted that the estimates are derived using the 2005-06 benchmark data, while egg production figures are calculated using standard poultry productivity parameters.

The poultry sector remains one of the fastest-growing segments of Pakistan’s agriculture industry, making a significant contribution to food security, employment generation, rural incomes and the supply of affordable protein for consumers.