Fresh or chilled whole chickens market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for fresh or chilled whole chickens in Czechia grew from 58 811 t to 61 652 t. This expansion was supported by rising consumption of poultry meat in the country, as noted in 2018. Concurrently, legislative requirements for poultry farming, including maximum stocking density and animal welfare standards, influenced production practices. In 2020, prices for class A slaughter chickens affected market dynamics, contributing to a decline in the market's value to 112.0 million US dollars despite a slight volume increase.

The market contracted to 57 199 t in 2021 and further to 53 119 t in 2022. This decline coincided with the continuation of legislative demands for poultry housing and processing, which likely contributed to a sharp drop in imports from 20 064 t in 2020 to 12 420 t in 2022. The market's value, however, rose significantly to 133.8 million US dollars in 2022, indicating higher prices or a shift in product mix.

Recovery began in 2023, with the market reaching 55 450 t, and continued to 56 097 t in 2024. The entry of 47 new brands into the Czech retail sector in 2024 intensified competition and broadened product availability. Simultaneously, growing consumer focus on health and transparency, including mandatory country-of-origin labeling for chickens since 2015, stimulated demand for quality products. The market's value peaked at 144.4 million US dollars in 2023 before a slight adjustment to 142.0 million US dollars in 2024.

Production fresh or chilled whole chickens in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Czechia's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens declined in 2020. The output was valued at 88 732 thousand US dollars, representing a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 13.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 90 082 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following two years of expansion, Czechia's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens decreased in 2020. The country produced 45 117 tonnes, showing a modest decline of 2.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 8.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The peak volume was reached in 2019 at 46 020 tonnes, with the largest annual increase also occurring that year at 7.9%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled whole chickens from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year downturn, Czechia's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens rebounded in 2020. The country exported 3 529 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 1.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 15.9%, with an average annual decline of 5.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 482 tonnes, which also saw the sharpest annual drop of 13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Austria were the primary destinations for Czechia's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in volume terms. Germany accounted for 41.6% of exports, Hungary for 21.4%, and Austria for 17.8%, together making up 80.8% of the total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Czechia's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in value terms reached 7 412 thousand US dollars, up by 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 7.7%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 302 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 8 885 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 17.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 10.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Austria formed the core group of destinations for Czechia's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in value terms. Germany held a 44.6% share, Hungary 18.9%, and Austria 18.5%, collectively accounting for 82.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled whole chickens to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of contraction, Czechia's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens rose in 2020. The import volume amounted to 20 064 tonnes, increasing by 9.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 263 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual drop of 9.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland remained the dominant source for Czechia's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in volume terms, capturing 88.9% of total imports. The remainder was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Czechia's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in value terms reached 30 683 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 4.2%, with an annualized decrease of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 30 620 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 35 244 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 13.1%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland continued to be the main supplier of fresh or chilled whole chickens to Czechia in value terms, accounting for 81.1% of total import value. The remaining share was spread across other countries.

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

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