Chicken feet, a staple in dim sum restaurants and popular street food in China, are facing a significant price increase that threatens their accessibility to many consumers. The wholesale cost of this delicacy has risen by approximately 10% following Brazil’s suspension of chicken exports to China due to a Newcastle virus outbreak, as reported by the food industry website Qinbaowang.
Although China produces its own chicken feet, a byproduct in many other countries, it relies heavily on imports. Last year, China imported about $2.3 billion worth of chicken feet, with over 40% coming from Brazil. Recent data from Xinfadi, an agricultural market in Beijing, indicates that prices for chicken feet have surged by about a third since early 2022, now exceeding twice the cost of regular poultry meat.
The rising cost of chicken feet is partly driven by their increasing popularity. They are a favored ingredient in hotpot and noodle dishes and are prized for their collagen content, which is beneficial for skin health. Innovative preparations, such as tiger skin fried chicken feet and lemon-flavored boneless varieties, have further fueled demand. The proliferation of chain outlets specializing in chicken feet and the rise of semi-cooked food products in the catering industry have also contributed to the growing consumption.
This latest supply disruption follows previous shocks, such as global bird flu outbreaks that led to a 20% decrease in Chinese imports last year and a further 25% decline in the first half of 2024, according to customs data. Despite these challenges, the strong demand for chicken feet has so far insulated them from the broader trend of consumers cutting back on more expensive foods due to economic pressures. However, the Brazilian export ban could exacerbate the issue, with reports and social media indicating growing dissatisfaction over the high prices.
The resolution of Brazil’s virus outbreak will be crucial. As the leading supplier of chicken products to China, including about 20% of the country’s chicken feet imports in the first half of 2024, Brazil’s ability to quickly control the situation will significantly impact future pricing.
