Fresh or chilled whole chickens market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Danish poultry producers, led by major player Danpo, began phasing out fast-growing broiler breeds in favor of slower-growing alternatives to improve animal welfare, leading to higher retail prices. This industry-wide shift coincided with a gradual decline in the total volume of fresh whole chicken traded, as production adapted to the new, more resource-intensive standards.

By 2022, high food prices and economic uncertainty reduced consumer demand for premium-priced, slower-growing and organic chickens. This caused a sharp 63% drop in organic chicken production and led retailer COOP to discontinue its private animal welfare labeling scheme, aligning products under a state-approved mark. These factors contributed to a continued contraction of the market volume, which fell to 12 439 t by 2023.

In 2024, the market volume recovered to 13 506 t, partly due to discounter Lidl reintroducing conventional fast-growing broilers to its shelves, broadening the affordable product range. Concurrently, the market value grew to 53.9 million USD, supported by sustained higher wholesale chicken prices that had been rising since 2021.

Production fresh or chilled whole chickens in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Denmark's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens rebounded in 2021. The output was valued at 45 163 thousand US dollars, marking a 14.7% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 10.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 39 387 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 19.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Following a two-year decline, Denmark's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens increased in 2021. The country produced 13 112 tonnes, representing a 3.6% rise compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, however, production decreased by 12.8%, averaging an annual decline of 4.4%. The lowest output was recorded in 2020 at 12 658 tonnes, with the most significant year-on-year decrease occurring in 2019, when production dropped by 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports fresh or chilled whole chickens from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens from Denmark reached 961 tonnes in 2021, a substantial increase of 246.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 266 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 52.3% that year. From the peak in 2021 to the trough in 2019, export volumes varied by a factor of 3.6.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Denmark's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in volume terms were Germany, accounting for 35.5% of exports, Norway with 32.8%, and the Faroe Islands at 11.7%. Together, these three markets represented 80.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2021, the value of Denmark's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens was recorded at 3 506 thousand US dollars, a significant increase of 202.7% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 774 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 50.3% that year. From the high in 2021 to the low in 2019, export values varied by a factor of 4.5.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for Denmark's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in value terms were Germany, which accounted for 48.0% of exports, Norway with 26.1%, and the Faroe Islands at 11.7%. Collectively, these three markets made up 85.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports fresh or chilled whole chickens to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Denmark's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens totalled 1 899 tonnes, a slight increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 7.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 883 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 12.0% that year. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2019 at 2 140 tonnes, when imports increased by 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, France and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Denmark's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in volume terms, jointly accounting for 86.6% of total import flows. The remaining share was distributed among other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of Denmark's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens reached 11 780 thousand US dollars, up by 10.6% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 7.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 10 649 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.7% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, France and the Netherlands were the main sources for Denmark's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in value terms, together representing 83.0% of total import flows. The remaining share was divided among other markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021