Duck meat and offal market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek duck meat and offal market contracted significantly between 2019 and 2020, with its volume falling from 675.5 t to 415.2 t. This decline was driven by the introduction of mandatory country-of-origin labeling for fresh meats under Law 4492/2017, which increased compliance costs and affected market access for smaller retailers. Furthermore, rising global meat prices made imports more expensive, reducing import volumes. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely limited foodservice demand for fresh meat, accelerating a shift towards frozen products but not offsetting the overall drop in consumption.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 700 t in 2021 and grew further to 887 t in 2022. The recovery was primarily fueled by post-pandemic restoration of household incomes, which boosted overall meat consumption, including duck. Strong demand led to increased imports despite high energy and transport costs that elevated prices. Support for producers under the Rural Development Program 2014-2022 also provided a foundation for market activity during this period.

In 2023, the market volume fell to 743.3 t as duck meat prices surged by 41% due to constrained animal supply and high feed protein costs, reducing consumer purchasing power. Concurrently, new EU regulations precisely defining 'magret' duck breast enhanced the branding potential for Greek products in export markets, while updated national labeling rules incorporating QR codes, announced in 2022, prepared the sector for improved traceability requirements.

Production duck meat and offal in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of duck meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Greece produced 50 000 kg of duck meat and offal, which remained virtually unchanged compared to 2019. The minimum production level was recorded in 2019 at 50 000 kg. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 24.2%, representing an annualized decline of 8.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports duck meat and offal from Greece

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 24-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Greece's duck meat and offal exports stood at 0.7 t, marking a sharp contraction of 95.5% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a surge of 728.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of duck meat and offal from Greece were Cyprus (35.6% of exports in kind), Ireland (28.9% of exports in kind), and Bulgaria (14.2% of exports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 78.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The value of exports hit a trough in 2020 and peaked in 2019, showing a 13.1-fold swing. In 2020, duck meat and offal shipments from Greece amounted to 5 K $ US, which is 92.3% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 61 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 160.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus dominated exports in value terms, accounting for 74.6% of total flows, while other markets made up a fragmented share.

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

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

Imports duck meat and offal to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Duck meat and offal shipments to Greece from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 365.9 t, which is 25.6% lower year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 617.5 t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 5.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for imports in kind were the Netherlands (24.7% of imports in kind), France (20.5% of imports in kind), and Ireland (17.9% of imports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 63.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Duck meat and offal shipments to Greece from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 1 368 K $ US, indicating a decline of 22.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 31.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 355 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 25.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 17.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key directions for imports in value terms were France (30.5% of imports in value terms), the Netherlands (24.6% of imports in value terms), and Ireland (12.2% of imports in value terms). Together, these three countries accounted for 67.3% of total flows.

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

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