Declining sales at Macca’s and KFC have resulted in a decrease in chicken consumption across Australia.

For the first time in decades, Australians are consuming less chicken as they increasingly shun fast food chains like KFC and McDonald’s due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

At a recent Parliament House lunch aimed at promoting chicken—a traditionally affordable and popular protein—federal MPs were informed that retail research shows a decline in visits to these fast food outlets and reduced spending during occasional outings. Despite a history of steady growth in chicken consumption, with Australians consuming up to 50kg annually, sales at these outlets have dropped significantly by between five and nine percent.

This decline in chicken consumption aligns with Australian families prioritizing essential expenses like mortgage payments and utility bills over discretionary spending on takeaway food. Keith Pitt, Nationals MP for Hinkler, noted that weekends, which were once bustling with KFC and McDonald’s drive-throughs and restaurants, are now less crowded, reflecting the shift in spending priorities.