Chicken meat and offal market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian chicken meat and offal market volume grew from 934 K t in 2018 to 1 019 K t in 2020. This expansion was supported by regulatory steps that increased consumer confidence, including the enforcement of sanctions for non-compliance with EU food labeling rules and the rollout of a voluntary labeling scheme providing details on animal welfare and Italian origin. Growing consumer sensitivity to this additional information on labels further stimulated demand for domestic poultry during this period.

From 2021 to 2023, legislative actions and market prices significantly influenced trends. Italy's 2021 ban on the production and sale of synthetic and cultured meat reinforced the market for conventional chicken. In 2022, reduced domestic production due to high prices led to a slight market volume contraction to 1 000 K t, but the market value jumped 19.9% to 2 890 M $ US. By 2023, reported consumption of poultry meat rose by 5.9%, helping lift the physical market volume to 1 044 K t, while the market value reached 2 962 M $ US.

The market's evolution continues to be marked by a strong shift toward products with clear quality signals. By 2024, 76% of Italian poultry production featured voluntary additional labeling, with 30% of those products meeting higher animal welfare standards. This reflects sustained consumer demand for transparent, certified chicken meat.

Production chicken meat and offal in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy ranked 29th globally in chicken meat and offal production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Italy's chicken meat and offal production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 067 K t, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 1.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 973 K t, which saw the largest decline of 3.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase of 8.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal production in Italy increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 163 M $ US, up 1.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.8%, with an average annual rate of 2.2%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's chicken meat and offal exports reached 101.9 K t, a slight decrease of 1.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 91.5 K t, which saw the largest decline of 6.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 103.2 K t, with the highest increase of 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's chicken meat and offal exports had a diverse buyer portfolio. Germany accounted for 25.6% of exports in kind, Greece for 9.4%, and Benin for 9.3%, together making up 44.3% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, chicken meat and offal exports from Italy declined. In 2020, exports totaled 206.7 M $ US, down 0.9% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 208.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany contributed 44.5% of exports in value terms, Greece 8.7%, and Austria 6.5%, collectively accounting for 59.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decrease, chicken meat and offal imports into Italy rose. In 2020, imports amounted to 54.1 K t, up 5.3% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 51.4 K t, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for chicken meat and offal imports to Italy in kind were Germany (41.1%), the Netherlands (17.4%), and Poland (15.9%), together representing 74.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal imports into Italy fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 116.0 M $ US, down 8.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 116.0 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 9.5%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (40.0%), the Netherlands (20.0%), and Poland (12.0%) were the primary sources in the geographical breakdown of chicken meat and offal imports to Italy in value terms, accounting for 72.0% of total flows.

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

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