Intensive Broiler Farming in the Global South: Welfare and Development

Rapid expansion of industrial broiler production in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa is occurring with minimal welfare regulation. Understanding the welfare trajectory matters.

Key Facts

Broiler meat consumption in the Global South is growing at 5-8% per year
Many emerging markets lack basic animal welfare legislation for poultry
Multinational companies are exporting intensive production systems to low-regulation environments
Heat stress and poor litter management cause severe welfare problems in tropical systems
Local NGOs are building capacity for welfare advocacy in key production countries
International retailer standards can drive change through supply chain requirements

Welfare Considerations

The global expansion of intensive broiler farming replicates welfare failures at scale in contexts where regulatory protection is minimal or absent. Without domestic advocacy capacity and international supply chain pressure, billions of additional birds will live in conditions worse than those already being reformed in high-income markets. The welfare trajectory of global poultry farming depends critically on current decisions.

What You Can Do

Support international welfare organisations working in Global South production regions
Choose imported poultry from companies with global welfare standards applied to all suppliers
Advocate for welfare requirements in trade agreements with major poultry exporting nations