Chicken meat and offal market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

Following a period of moderate fluctuations, the chicken meat market volume in Moldova saw significant growth in 2022, reaching 66 222 t, then stabilized at 66 969 t in 2023. This surge was primarily driven by the government's decision to suspend chicken meat imports from Ukraine in 2022 due to feed safety concerns, which limited competition and spurred domestic production. Output rose from 37 596 t in 2021 to 45 759 t in 2022, offsetting the decline in imports.

Regulatory changes such as the introduction of HG 624/2020, which set raw material and labeling requirements for chilled and frozen meat, and the updated HG 773/2013 with specific temperature storage parameters, affected industry practices in the early 2020s. These measures, along with the start of legislative harmonization with EU standards in 2021, laid the groundwork for future export opportunities by aligning local production with international requirements.

In 2023, Moldova obtained the right to export chicken meat to the European Union, and the first local company was authorized to ship chilled meat. Concurrently, purchasing frequency for chicken meat increased among households with elderly members, indicating supportive shifts in consumer behavior that helped maintain the market volume at a high level.

Production chicken meat and offal in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Moldova's production of chicken meat and offal has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 40 589 tonnes, which represents a 6.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 45 234 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports chicken meat and offal from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

Moldova's exports of chicken meat and offal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 359 tonnes, marking a significant rise of 38.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 403 321.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1 491.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly all of Moldova's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms went to Azerbaijan, which accounted for 93.7% of the total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Moldova's export value of chicken meat and offal has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 330 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic increase of 114.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 126 879.6%, with an annualized rate of 982.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, exports of chicken meat and offal in value terms from Moldova were almost entirely concentrated in Azerbaijan, which held a 90.4% share.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

Moldova's imports of chicken meat and offal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 19 883 tonnes, reflecting a moderate gain of 6.5% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 65.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest contributors to Moldova's chicken meat and offal imports in volume terms were Ukraine (60.2%), Poland (10.4%), and Brazil (8.8%), together accounting for 79.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Moldova's import value of chicken meat and offal declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 18 720 thousand US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 59.1%, with an annualized rate of 16.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 18 735 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 46.3%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the biggest contributors to Moldova's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms were Ukraine (61.6%), Brazil (11.9%), and Poland (9.0%), collectively making up 82.6% of total imports.

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

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