Cost of chicken to rise soon, even if bird flu doesn't spread

Australian households are being warned to brace for further pressure at the checkout as the cost of chicken meat is forecast to rise, driven by escalating production expenses that persist independently of the current avian influenza concerns.

While recent headlines have focused on the biosecurity measures within the egg industry, the broader poultry sector is grappling with significant hikes in energy, feed, and logistics. Industry analysts indicate that even if the meat supply remains uncompromised by health outbreaks, the underlying inflationary pressures on farmers have reached a stage where they must be passed through the supply chain to retail pricing.

“The resilience of our domestic food security is being tested not just by biological threats, but by the relentless accumulation of operational costs that now demand a recalibration of consumer expectations.”

Retailers are expected to adjust prices within the next quarter, marking another blow to the cost of living for many families across the country. Although chicken remains one of the most affordable proteins on the market, the era of ultra-low prices appears to be narrowing as the industry seeks to maintain its long-term viability in a volatile global economy.