Chicken meat and offal market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish chicken meat market expanded steadily from 2018 to 2021, with production volume rising from 146.3 thousand tons to 179.7 thousand tons. This growth was driven by a 40% increase in the number of chickens produced compared to earlier years, alongside significant consolidation among producers — only 213 companies raised chickens in Sweden, with 126 of them operating at scale. The broader EU poultry market also grew by 4.7% during this period, providing a competitive but expanding backdrop for Swedish producers. In 2019, an outbreak of avian influenza affected egg production and increased pressure on chicken imports, which rose by approximately 50%. Despite the COVID‑19 pandemic's disruption to supply chains and raw material prices in 2020, domestic chicken production continued to climb.

From 2021 onward, rising costs for feed and electricity began to squeeze Swedish producers. The situation intensified in 2022 with the Russia‑Ukraine conflict, which further boosted imports of cheaper chicken and reduced the share of Swedish chicken on the domestic market by 4%. Regulatory changes also played a role: from January 2022, EU Regulation 2019/06 made antibiotic treatment prescription‑only, increasing production costs, while a temporary adjustment to KRAV certification allowed conventional Swedish chicken to be served in restaurants from February 2022. The European Chicken Commitment strengthened animal‑welfare standards. In 2023, imports continued to grow, particularly frozen breast fillet, lowering the share of Swedish chicken to 71.2%. However, sales of domestic chicken still rose by 4.1%, supported by new product development and technology investments. By 2024, consumer preference for Swedish‑raised chicken remained strong, with 70% of consumers expressing a preference for domestic production, and producers continued to invest in sustainable product lines.

Production chicken meat and offal in Sweden

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

Sweden's chicken meat and offal production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 166.8 thousand tons, marking an 8.6% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 146.3 thousand tons, when output fell by 4.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of chicken meat and offal production in Sweden reached 107.6 million US dollars, showing a significant 35.5% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 41.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when the value dropped by 4.8%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Sweden's exports of chicken meat and offal declined in 2020. Exports totaled 81 657 tons, down 2.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 10.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 84 037 tons, when exports surged by 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark was the dominant destination for Sweden's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms, accounting for 85.6% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sweden's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 52.7 million US dollars, representing a 21.3% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 43.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Denmark, Finland, and Hong Kong were the key partners for Sweden's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms. Denmark accounted for 64.6% of exports, Finland for 6.5%, and Hong Kong for 6.0%. Together, these three destinations made up 77.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Sweden imported 49 714 tons of chicken meat and offal, a decrease of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 7.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when imports grew by 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Sweden in volume terms. Denmark accounted for 64.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 14.0%, and Germany for 9.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 87.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sweden's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 150.5 million US dollars, which is 8.8% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 13.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary sources for Sweden's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms. Denmark accounted for 60.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 15.2%, and Germany for 10.8%. Together, these three countries absorbed 86.9% of total import value.

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

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