Chicken meat and offal market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for chicken meat and offal in Denmark grew from 133 thousand tons to 152 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by the introduction of a voluntary state animal welfare labeling scheme for chicken, which bolstered consumer confidence and demand. Concurrently, major producers like Danpo began shifting focus toward higher-value products, including slower-growing chickens, aligning with rising consumer interest in chicken as a healthy and climate-friendly protein source.

In 2022, market volume sharply contracted by 16% to 127 thousand tons. This decline coincided with the phased removal of medical zinc from chicken feed, which increased production costs, and a marked rise in Danish food prices beginning that year. The accelerated slump in organic chicken sales further contributed to the overall volume reduction. Although consumer desire for more chicken meat grew, a capacity shortage for producing slower-growing birds constrained supply. By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 126 thousand tons, while the market value continued its ascent to $349 million, reflecting a shift toward more premium products.

The focus on animal welfare persisted in the following years, with political agreements to halt state procurement of fast-growing chickens. Processors invested in value-added production, such as HKScan Denmark's 2023 investment in a ready-to-eat chicken line to meet demand for convenient products. However, food prices, which rose 27% from 2022 to 2025, likely continued to pressure consumption volumes.

Production chicken meat and offal in Denmark

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2018-2021

After two years of growth, Denmark's chicken meat and offal production declined. In 2021, production reached 163.1 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.2% decrease from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 11.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 165.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2019 at 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Denmark's chicken meat and offal production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 282.1 million US dollars, reflecting a 5.4% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 2.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 254.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

Chicken meat and offal exports from Denmark fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, export volume stood at 64 125 tonnes, down 16.7% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.0%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 80 912 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark exported chicken meat and offal to a diverse range of markets. Even the top destinations—South Africa, the Netherlands, and Sweden—collectively accounted for only 47.1% of total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Denmark's chicken meat and offal export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 110.9 million US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 11.1% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value dropped by 21.1%, with a CAGR of -7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Denmark's chicken meat and offal exports were distributed across a wide array of buyers. Sweden (20.4% of export value), the Netherlands (16.1%), and South Africa (12.4%) together contributed just 48.9% of total export value, with numerous other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports chicken meat and offal to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

Imports of chicken meat and offal into Denmark decreased for the second straight year. In 2021, import volume was 52 925 tonnes, showing a modest decline of 9.3% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 13.6%, equating to an annualized decrease of 4.7%. The highest import volume occurred in 2019 at 64 969 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 6.1%, while the largest decline was in 2020 at 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, Sweden (35.1% of import volume), the Netherlands (21.8%), and Germany (21.0%) formed the core of Denmark's chicken meat and offal imports, together accounting for 77.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Denmark's chicken meat and offal import value increased. In 2021, imports amounted to 153.2 million US dollars, up 6.9% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 143.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, the Netherlands (32.7% of import value), Germany (20.8%), and Sweden (17.7%) were the primary sources in Denmark's chicken meat and offal import breakdown by value, with a combined share of 71.2% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021