Chicken meat and offal market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The chicken meat and offal market in Northern Europe began the period at 2 650 thousand tonnes in 2018, edging up to 2 668 thousand tonnes in 2019. This initial stability was supported by anticipated growth in demand for domestically produced chicken, which encouraged local output.

Market volume contracted to 2 582 thousand tonnes in 2020 before surging by 11.6% to 2 882 thousand tonnes in 2021. The robust recovery was directly linked to the societal reopening after the pandemic, which boosted meat consumption and restored import flows to pre-pandemic levels.

Growth continued in 2022, with the market reaching 2 992 thousand tonnes. This expansion was primarily fueled by a sharp rise in imports of low-cost chicken from countries like Brazil, Ukraine, and Thailand, as elevated raw material and energy prices negatively impacted the cost-competitiveness of local producers. In 2023, the market stabilized at 2 976 thousand tonnes, with continued sharp increases in food prices and growing reports of animal welfare issues in the industry influencing consumer patterns and demand.

Production chicken meat and offal in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Northern Europe's chicken meat and offal production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 677 thousand tons, marking a 4.2% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In contrast, the value of chicken meat and offal production in Northern Europe has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 3 029 million US dollars, down 6.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 8.4%, averaging a 2.9% annual decrease. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 3 535 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 8.9% in 2019 and the biggest gain of 6.9% in 2018.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's exports of chicken meat and offal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 688.1 thousand tons, up 12.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 29.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of chicken meat and offal from Northern Europe showed low concentration. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (22.6% of exports), South Africa (6.8%), and France (5.2%)—together accounted for just 34.6% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe exported 779 million US dollars worth of chicken meat and offal, a modest increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 10.4%, averaging 3.4% annual growth. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 789 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 2.6% in 2019 and the biggest increase of 12.0% in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, export values were spread across a broad range of partner countries. The Netherlands (14.2% of exports), South Africa (7.1%), and France (6.9%) combined for only 28.3% of total export value, indicating a diversified market.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's imports of chicken meat and offal totaled 593.4 thousand tons in 2020, a significant decrease of 16.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 16.5%, with a compound annual decline of 5.8%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 712.6 thousand tons, and the largest increase of 7.2% also occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (31.6% of imports), Poland (20.6%), and Germany (7.5%) were the leading suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Northern Europe. Together, they made up 59.7% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of chicken meat and offal imports into Northern Europe has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 814 million US dollars, down 13.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 9.4%, with an average annual drop of 3.2%. The highest value was in 2018 at 2 312 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 15.4% in 2018.

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

In 2017-2020, the Netherlands (38.7% of imports), Poland (18.9%), and Germany (8.7%) remained the primary suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Northern Europe. Their combined share reached 66.3% of total import value.

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

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