• PIANZ represents the interests of almost all poultry processors in New Zealand, most notably, the three largest companies (Tegel, Inghams and Brinks).
• Poultry meat consumption has risen from under 1kg per capita in the 1960's to 32.5 kg per capita in the year end of June 2009, with over 81 million broiler (meat) chickens produced in 2008.
• The New Zealand poultry industry is composed both of meat production (represented by PIANZ) and egg production (represented by the Egg Producer's Federation)
• The poultry industry has experienced real growth in the last decade, due to a real price reduction in chicken meat, lifestyle changes, and consumer perceptions.  Chicken is a low fat, high protein, great-tasting meat, which is suited to most diets and lifestyles.
• Innovation and marketing have been factors in the poultry industry growth, as well as increases in consumption, and a competitive advantage over other meat industries 

• The Poultry Industry in New Zealand is divided into two major sectors; poultry meat production (including livestock breeding), and table egg production. 
• Table egg production is represented by the Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand (Inc.)
• The meat and egg industries are linked via commercial hatcheries and large feedmills, which are generally owned by the vertically-integrated poultry processing and breeding companies.

• In the mid 1960s, the production of poultry meat using specialised meat breeds was just beginning in this country, with per capita consumption of poultry meat under 1kg. 
• In contrast, for the year ending June 2006, each New Zealander ate 37.1 kg of poultry meat, of which 35.7 kg was chicken (Source: Meat & Wool NZ Economic Service).
• For the year ending June 2006, the New Zealand poultry industry produced just under 150,000 tonnes of chicken meat, produced from 85.8 million broiler birds.
• In 1979, it took 64 days for a broiler chicken to reach a 2kg weight.  In 2006, it takes only 35 days for a broiler chicken to reach a 2kg weight!

• Economies of scale and enhanced productivity have led to a continued price reduction of poultry meat in real terms.
• Growth in the poultry meat sector is expected to continue well into the future.
• Feed is approximately 60% of the total cost of producing broiler chickens, with the remaining costs from livestock production, processing and packaging, storage, distribution, and marketing.
• The poultry meat industry is relatively new in New Zealand, and is expanding rapidly.  It is now the major intensive livestock industry in this country.
• Declining prices in real terms, lifestyle changes, and consumer perceptions have seen poultry consumption continue to increase, from 14 kg per capita in 1992 to 37.1 kg per capita for the year ending June 2006 (Source: Meat and Wool NZ Economic Service).
• Over this period, total meat consumption has been relatively static. The proportion of poultry meat consumed in the year ending June 2006 (based on kg/capita consumed) was 35%, relative to 33% for beef and veal, 19% for pig meat, and 13% for sheep meat (Source: Meat and Wool NZ Economic Service).

• Industry-funded innovation in processing, in addition to sound marketing, have been factors in this sustainable growth.
• Increases in chicken consumption have been mainly in the fresh and further processed areas, with 77% of chicken now sold fresh.
• A high level of vertical integration in the industry enables participants to maintain control over all facets of production, promote quality management, increase efficiency, and plan for the future.

Poultry production maintains a competitive advantage over other meat industries because of