In 2050, the world's population will reach 9.7 billion. This unprecedented demographic challenge means that our food systems, and poultry farming in particular, will have to be radically transformed. How can we feed the world in 2050, while respecting economic, environmental and social imperatives? The future of our food security is taking shape today.
Anticipating the food challenges of a growing population
By 2050, the world's population will have grown by 1.7 billion people to almost 10 billion. This "food Everest" implies an increase in global food production, with greater needs in cities. Indeed, it is the metropolises of developing countries that are experiencing the strongest demographic growth. By 2050, 70% of the world's population will be concentrated in urban areas. At the same time, the availability of cultivated land will remain relatively limited, with a potential increase of only around 5%.
Meeting the global rise in demand for animal proteins
Population growth, particularly in Africa and Asia, is accompanied by changes in eating habits. As a result, rising living standards are leading to a significant increase in meat consumption. By way of example, projections indicate a 22% increase in broiler chicken consumption between now and 2030, driven by emerging countries as well as mature markets such as Europe.
"This increase in consumption means that we need to adapt our production, while guaranteeing affordable prices and fair access to food".
Emmanuel Amprou, Poultry Market Manager Techna
Controlling costs and ensuring the competitiveness of the poultry industry
The economic dimension, which is sometimes overlooked, is nevertheless fundamental, and inseparable from the environmental and social aspects. On the one hand, consumers need to be guaranteed affordable prices. On the other hand, agricultural sectors, from upstream to downstream, must be able to perform economically. In poultry farming, the volatility of raw materials is a major challenge. We now have to deal with fluctuations linked to climatic and geopolitical events. Between 2000 and 2022, the cost price of a kilo of chicken rose from €683 to €1,250. This increase is largely attributable to the cost of feed. At industry level, there are also differences in competitiveness between countries, linked in particular to the slaughterhouse link, labour costs and regulatory differences. This price equation is made even more complex by international trade agreements, such as Mercosur, and customs duties.
Reducing environmental impact and adapting to global warming
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in poultry farming are mainly due to poultry feed: 86.7% for broilers and 74.5% for laying hens. Farmers have no control over these sources of emissions, and are dependent on the work of cereal and oilseed producers. However, it is possible to influence the choice of raw materials used in feed and their origin. We need to develop formulations that combine economic efficiency with minimal environmental impact. In addition to their carbon footprint, the poultry industry must also consider the use of agricultural land and the preservation of biodiversity, soil, water and air. "In addition to GHG emissions, there are 18 impact categories to monitor". Vincent Guyonnet, FFI Consulting
Guaranteeing animal health and welfare
Animal health is now considered from the angle of the "One Health" concept, which adopts an integrated approach to sustainably improve human, animal and ecosystem health. Animal welfare also plays a central role, in response to growing consumer expectations. Indeed, 60% of consumers say they are prepared to pay a premium to guarantee better animal welfare. However, 46% could not bear an increase of more than 10%, which limits the scope for segmentation of the broiler poultry sector.
In terms of public health, one of our challenges is to halt the rise in antibiotic resistance. This affects not only animals, but also humans. By 2050, 25 million deaths could be caused by this multiple resistance. The solution? Reduce their use. In Europe, the use of antibiotics in livestock farming has already fallen sharply, by between 50% and 70% between 2011 and 2020. In 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a new initiative to help certain countries reduce the need to use antimicrobials in livestock farming.
Innovating and digitalising poultry farming to feed the world in 2050
Digitalisation has become essential for both plant and animal production. In the industrial sector, it is estimated that only 10% of data is currently usable. The same applies to agriculture. There is great potential in collecting and using data. Digitisation can help us improve our efficiencies, as demonstrated by the WeFeed Poultry solution, which is now able to collect data from sensors and analyse it. The increasing volume of data will also require powerful technologies to interpret it, such as artificial intelligence. Used wisely, and driven by humans, this "collaborative" intelligence will offer innovative solutions for improving our farming practices and the efficiency of the poultry industry.
Training and communicating with consumers
Poultry industry professionals need to adapt to new technologies and consumer expectations. Digitalisation and the increasing power of analysis tools mean that regular training is essential, given the lightning pace of progress. Digital technology will therefore need to be increasingly integrated into skills development programmes. The other aspect of digital is communication. In our poultry sectors, social media offer a unique opportunity for direct dialogue between producers and consumers. This communication should no longer be just technical or scientific, but also emotional.
Feeding nearly 10 billion people by 2050 represents a major food challenge for poultry farming. Faced with this prospect, the sector must combine competitiveness with respect for the environment and animals. Digitalisation and innovation, combined with transparent communication with consumers, will be the keys to building a poultry industry capable of ensuring food security for future generations.
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