With a population of 1.47 billion, India has the potential to be the largest poultry market in the world. No wonder India’s poultry industry is rapidly transforming. As urban lifestyles change and consumer expectations rise, the demand for safe, high-quality, and convenient poultry products is growing fast. In this evolving market, JBT Marel can be a key partner for processors who are looking to modernize and scale their operations.
Across India, the shift from traditional wet markets to more industrialized processing is becoming more visible, especially in urban areas. Younger generations and middle-income households are adopting new consumption habits. Many families now live in cities, often with both partners working, which increases the need for convenient and processed food options. This is changing the way poultry is consumed, and how it is produced, processed, and delivered.
End-to-end solutions
JBT Marel responds to this shift by offering integrated solutions that enable Indian processors to manage and optimize the entire poultry value chain. It starts with humane transport systems from farm to processor, avoiding damage, reducing transport costs, and making the best use of resources, all the way through to final products for retail and food service, such as nuggets in fast food restaurants. The whole process in between is where JBT Marel can act as a full-line supplier. End-to-end systems are designed to improve efficiency, animal welfare, product quality, and yield, while reducing manual labor and optimizing logistics, helping Indian processors operate more consistently and at higher capacity.
At the core of JBT Marel’s approach is the idea that a processing plant should function like a well-tuned, smoothly running engine. Margins in poultry processing are often tight, so success depends on maximizing yield, maintaining consistent quality, and keeping operational costs under control.
Primary process
Primary processing remains a key focus area in India, where many plants are developing their capabilities. JBT Marel has strong expertise in equipment and technologies that improve hygiene, increase speed, and enhance process control across the primary process, including live bird handling, stunning, killing, scalding, plucking, evisceration, and chilling. These solutions are essential for Indian processors aiming to meet higher standards while keeping future growth opportunities open.
In particular, for evisceration, the core of the primary process, JBT Marel offers multiple solutions to address a wide range of conditions that may arise in India, including variations in bird size, weight, and species, from broilers and local breeds to layers.
High standards
Hygiene and food safety are central to the development of Indian poultry processing to international standards. JBT Marel brings global expertise to the Indian market, with equipment that is designed to meet strict international standards. In areas such as sanitation, water use, and operational safety, JBT Marel’s global experience is valuable for Indian processors when supplying to customers with stringent requirements such as QSR Chains (KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King), organized retail and supermarkets (Reliance Smart, DMart, Star Bazaar), the institutional horeca sector (hotel chains like Taj, Marriott, and ITC), or Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) online platforms like Licious and FreshToHome.
Digital readiness
Digitalization is another key element of the transformation awaiting the Indian poultry industry. It is possible to step into the digital processing world at any level, from elementary inventory control software to a fully connected factory, with end-to-end traceability and real-time performance monitoring across equipment and lines. The potential benefits of integrating new software are closely linked to the processing plant’s level of digital readiness, which influences how effectively it can adapt to changing market demands and evolving consumer expectations.
Water consumption
In many parts of the world, including India, water usage is one of the most critical factors to manage in poultry processing. JBT Marel focuses on optimizing water consumption without compromising hygiene standards. The tension between these two must be carefully managed, because the goal must not simply be to reduce water usage, but to find the right balance between efficiency, hygiene, and food safety, especially when a processing plant is located in a region where water availability is limited.
Local needs
As a global player, JBT Marel recognizes that every market has its own unique characteristics and requirements. While our equipment is based on global standards, we adapt our solutions to meet local needs. In India, this means taking into account differences in bird size, product preferences, and processing requirements. Local adaptation does not mean completely redesigning a machine or radically changing a process. However, every market has its own specific requirements, which may call for different machine settings, adjustments to the equipment layout, software modifications, or tailored production processes (such as halal). This approach allows Indian processors to adapt to the local demand and address the specific realities of the market while still benefitting from proven technology.
Service
JBT Marel’s service organization can play an important role in supporting Indian processors on their journey toward greater automation, efficiency, and profitability. In India, JBT Marel combines global expertise with local support to assist customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their equipment—from installation and commissioning to maintenance, upgrades, training, and optimization. By understanding local market requirements, JBT Marel Service helps ensure that investments in technology and partnership deliver lifetime performance.
Local service engineers provide technical support tailored to local requirements. Through on-site assistance and, where appropriate, remote support, potential issues can often be identified and resolved quickly, helping to minimize downtime.
In addition to reactive support, JBT Marel focuses on preventive maintenance. Regular service visits, equipment health checks, and operator training help customers maintain maximized yield, and extend equipment lifespan. Access to genuine spare parts and technical expertise further ensures reliable operation and long-term performance.
Well-placed
As India’s poultry industry continues to grow and evolve, the need for modern, efficient, and scalable solutions will only increase. With its combination of global expertise, advanced technology, and local adaptation, JBT Marel is well placed to support this journey and help shape the future of poultry processing in the country.
