Chicken meat and offal market in France

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the French chicken meat market volume grew from 1 214 thousand tons to 1 348 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by rising imports, as France became a net importer in 2019 due to lost export outlets and increased competition from Poland, the UK, and Ukraine. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily reduced out-of-home consumption and slowed exports, but production recovered by year-end.

From 2021 to 2023, market volume continued to rise, reaching 1 416 thousand tons, while market value increased to 3 738 million US dollars. Avian influenza outbreaks and a sharp increase in feed costs, which raised production expenses by 45-50% over two years, constrained domestic output and pushed up prices. This led to a surge in imports, accounting for half of chicken consumption in France by 2023. Regulatory changes, including mandatory origin labeling for poultry meat effective March 2022 and enhanced animal welfare standards, further shaped the market.

Production chicken meat and offal in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France maintained the 26th position globally in terms of chicken meat and offal production volume.

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, chicken meat and offal production in France saw an increase. In 2020, France produced 1 130 K t of chicken meat and offal, representing a 0.8% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production decreased by 2.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 121 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 2.6% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

France's chicken meat and offal production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 247 M $ US, showing a gradual rise of 7.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 791 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 9.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 16.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from France

Exports in kind, K t

Chicken meat and offal exports from France declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, France exported 229.4 K t, marking a moderate decrease of 8.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 23.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 339.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 13.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 26.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The export partner structure for chicken meat and offal in kind remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Saudi Arabia accounted for 29.8% of exports, Germany for 9.2%, and Belgium for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 47.9% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from France in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign chicken meat and offal supplies from France declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, France exported 456 M $ US worth of chicken meat and offal, which was 2.2% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 538 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 5.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Saudi Arabia represented 24.2% of exports, Germany 13.3%, and Belgium 10.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 48.3% of total flows, with no country holding a clearly dominant position.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from France in value, 2017-2020

Imports chicken meat and offal to France

Imports in kind, K t

Chicken meat and offal imports into France declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 392.7 K t, corresponding to a limited drop of 3.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 3.5%, with an annualized rate of 1.2%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 422.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 11.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 3.7% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland—together absorbed 66.7% of total chicken meat and offal imports in kind to France.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to France in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

France's chicken meat and offal imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 1 056 M $ US, which was 0.8% lower year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 087 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 13.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for chicken meat and offal imports in value terms to France were Belgium, accounting for 24.5% of imports, the Netherlands at 21.1%, and Poland at 19.4%. Together, these three countries represented 65.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to France in value, 2017-2020