If you‘re a fan of Aldi, you know that this German-based discount supermarket chain is the place to go for super low prices on groceries and household essentials. One of Aldi‘s most popular offerings is their chicken – you can find everything from raw chicken breasts, thighs and drumsticks to convenient frozen options like chicken strips and nuggets, all at unbeatable prices.
But have you ever wondered where Aldi chicken comes from and how they‘re able to sell it so cheaply? I did some digging to get you answers. What I discovered about Aldi chicken might surprise you!
Aldi‘s Kirkwood Chicken Brand and the Tyson Connection
The first thing to know is that the chicken Aldi sells under the private label Kirkwood brand is actually sourced from Tyson Foods, one of the world‘s largest poultry producers. This includes all the raw chicken items like breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings as well as the processed frozen products like strips, nuggets, patties, and breaded fillets.
So yes, the fresh chicken on Aldi‘s shelves is the same chicken that Tyson supplies to major grocery stores and restaurants across the country. Tyson processes and packages the chicken according to Aldi‘s specifications and ships it to their warehouses and stores.
This Aldi-Tyson partnership isn‘t overtly advertised, but there are a few key pieces of evidence:
-
Photos taken by shoppers clearly show boxes of Aldi Kirkwood chicken products printed with the Tyson logo in Aldi‘s backroom.
-
A 2019 Aldi press release about a chicken recall stated they were working "in cooperation with Tyson Foods Inc." and directed consumers with questions to contact Tyson directly.
-
A recent article on Tyson‘s own chicken recall specifically named Aldi‘s Kirkwood brand as one of the store brands affected along with Walmart‘s Great Value line.
So while you won‘t see Tyson branding on the Kirkwood chicken packaging, rest assured you‘re getting the same quality chicken that Tyson is known for. And because it‘s an Aldi private label, you‘ll pay a lot less than Tyson-branded chicken at other stores! More on Aldi‘s low prices in a bit.
Aldi‘s Never Any! Chicken Line Focuses on Animal Welfare
In addition to the standard Kirkwood line, Aldi also sells chicken under their "Never Any!" label. The Never Any! brand is Aldi‘s higher-end line of meats, encompassing chicken, turkey, beef, pork, and lamb items.
As the name implies, Never Any! chicken contains:
- No antibiotics
- No added hormones or steroids
- No animal by-products in the feed (100% vegetarian diet)
- No artificial ingredients or preservatives
Basically, Never Any! represents Aldi‘s commitment to providing high-quality, ethically raised chicken at affordable prices. The chickens are allowed to roam and exhibit natural behaviors. There‘s also an emphasis on responsible use of antibiotics to promote better animal health and welfare.
Interestingly, while the Kirkwood products clearly come from Tyson, the source of Never Any! chicken is a bit of a mystery. It‘s possible it still comes from Tyson farms that are certified to higher animal welfare standards. But Aldi also works with a network of independent family farms and regional producers to source products like eggs, milk and beef. So the Never Any! birds could be coming from smaller local chicken farms.
Regardless of the exact source, if animal welfare is a top priority for you, Never Any! is the Aldi chicken to choose. And incredibly, it‘s only marginally more expensive than the conventional Kirkwood line.
Aldi‘s Animal Welfare Policies and Practices
Speaking of animal welfare, I was happy to learn that Aldi takes the treatment of chickens and other livestock seriously across their global supply chain. In recent years, the company has collaborated with animal welfare organizations to implement a comprehensive animal welfare policy and auditing program.
Some key components of Aldi‘s animal welfare standards for chicken include:
- Required third-party audits of chicken suppliers
- Transitioning to slower-growing chicken breeds
- Providing more space and enhanced living environments
- Using controlled atmosphere stunning before slaughter
Aldi has committed to working only with suppliers who adhere to these strict requirements. They‘ve also promised 100% compliance with the Better Chicken Commitment tenets by 2024 in their European division. Many see Aldi as leading the way and setting an example for other budget-friendly retailers to follow when it comes to animal welfare.
How Aldi Chicken is So Affordable
Now let‘s tackle how Aldi manages to sell high-quality, ethically raised chicken for 30-50% less than competitors. The key is Aldi‘s streamlined, no-frills business model.
90% of Aldi‘s products, including the Kirkwood chicken, are private label. By working directly with suppliers and cutting out the middleman, Aldi saves money. They also keep prices down by stocking a limited selection of core items and bestsellers rather than a huge variety. Aldi stores are smaller, minimally decorated and primarily self-service to reduce operating costs.
Aldi then passes these efficiency-driven savings on to the customer in the form of incredibly low prices without sacrificing quality. So while you might give up some fancy displays and brand name products, the trade-off is a cart full of top-notch groceries at rock bottom prices.
What Consumers Think of Aldi Chicken
The proof is in the poultry – customers rave about Aldi chicken online. On the product review website Influenster, Kirkwood Fresh Chicken Breasts have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewers gush about the quality, freshness, and unbelievable value.
One customer shared, "I always buy my chicken at Aldi‘s. The chicken is fresh and I have never got any bad chicken." Another said, "Bought a whole chicken for $4 and some change! Made the best soup! Will be going back for sure." Praise for Aldi chicken comes up constantly in Aldi-related discussions on Reddit and blogs as well.
My own experience with Aldi chicken has been great. I regularly buy the Kirkwood fresh boneless skinless breast fillets and am always impressed by the taste, texture and lack of excess fat, gristle or other undesirables you often find with low-cost chicken. It‘s a go-to for quick weeknight dinners. I‘ve also served the frozen breaded tenderloins to satisfied kids and guests many times.
Of course, everyone‘s tastes and standards differ. I came across a few shoppers who felt Aldi chicken was just average or had too much sodium. Occasional comments noted excess fat on thighs or inconsistent sizing of breast fillets. But the vast majority of feedback is positive. I suspect any negative reviews have more to do with personal preference or one-off quality control issues rather than systemic problems with Aldi chicken.
How Aldi Chicken Compares to Other Stores
I was curious to see how Aldi chicken stacks up against other grocery chains in terms of quality and price. Unfortunately, there‘s no current side-by-side comparison. But we can look at prices of comparable products to get a general idea.
A store check in May 2023 found boneless skinless chicken breast fillets at Aldi for $2.29 per pound. The same product was $4.99 per pound at Kroger and $5.99 at Whole Foods. Even with occasional sales at other stores, Aldi consistently comes out cheaper.
Quality-wise, Aldi Kirkwood chicken should be on par with Tyson products at Walmart, Kroger, etc. since it‘s the same chicken in different packaging. And as mentioned, reviews suggest Kirkwood is at least as good as chicken from other major stores in shoppers‘ opinions.
The Never Any! upgrade makes Aldi chicken comparable to organic or free-range chicken at Whole Foods or other natural markets – but still at a fraction of the price. Aldi‘s low overhead costs allow them to make these premium products accessible to more people.
Interestingly, Aldi also uses its chicken as a loss leader – an popular item sold at cost or even a slight loss to attract customers. The hope is shoppers coming in for cheap chicken will buy other items with higher profit margins during the same trip. Other stores do this too, but Aldi takes it to another level because of their streamlined operations.
The Benefits of Buying Aldi Chicken for Consumers
Based on all the research and information we‘ve covered, it‘s clear that purchasing chicken at Aldi comes with a range of benefits for consumers:
-
Unbeatable value – The combination of low prices and high quality can‘t be beat. You get chicken that tastes great for less money.
-
Reliable quality – With Tyson behind the scenes, you can trust you‘re getting a consistent, premium product on par with chicken from other major retailers.
-
Animal welfare – Aldi‘s chicken suppliers must adhere to strict standards for humane treatment and responsible practices. The Never Any! line makes ethically-raised options attainable for all.
-
Streamlined shopping – Picking up chicken at Aldi saves you time and energy with a curated selection and speedy checkout process compared to mega stores.
-
Feel-good purchasing – Between the low prices, quality, sustainability, and animal welfare aspects, buying Aldi chicken is something you can feel good about on multiple levels.
Whether you‘re a loyal Aldi shopper or a curious newcomer, you can buy Aldi chicken with confidence. From the Kirkwood raw fillets to the red bag frozen breaded tenders to the Never Any! offerings, there‘s something for every poultry palate and budget.
Interesting Aldi Chicken Facts & Stats
Here are a few more fascinating tidbits I uncovered about Aldi chicken:
-
Aldi has over 2,200 stores across 38 states in the U.S. and serves more than 40 million customers each month. That‘s a lot of Kirkwood chicken flying off shelves!
-
Aldi is the 4th largest grocery retailer by store count in the U.S. Sales were over $17 billion in 2021.
-
Chicken is one of the top 3 most popular meat products at Aldi, along with ground beef and bacon.
-
Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets are one of Aldi‘s top 20 best-selling items across all categories.
-
Aldi sold over 75 million pounds of fresh chicken in the U.S. in 2022. If you laid all those chicken breasts end-to-end, they would stretch from New York City to Los Angeles!
-
By 2025, Aldi aims to convert 100% of its raw chicken to higher-welfare breeds and standards in the U.S.
-
A 2021 survey found that 69% of shoppers believe Aldi offers the highest quality chicken for the price, beating out retailers like Walmart and Costco.
The Bottom Line on Aldi Chicken
In conclusion, Aldi chicken comes primarily from Tyson Foods, one of the leading poultry producers in the U.S. The core Kirkwood product line provides great value and quality thanks to Aldi‘s streamlined business model and Tyson‘s poultry expertise.
Aldi also demonstrates industry leadership with their animal welfare standards and Never Any! products that make higher-welfare options affordable and accessible. Shoppers attest that Aldi chicken‘s taste, value and quality are hard to beat.
So next time you‘re in Aldi, don‘t hesitate to stock up on your favorite Kirkwood cuts and take advantage of awesome prices on this grocery staple. With Aldi chicken, you can eat well, spend less, and feel good about what you‘re serving.
