Fresh or chilled whole chickens market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled whole chickens in Germany experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2024, reaching a peak of 224.4 thousand tons in 2022 before declining to 201.7 thousand tons in 2024. The early period saw the market's development of the organic segment, with farms transitioning to organic standards and increased consumer demand for bio-poultry. This shift, however, coincided with a temporary dip in production in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 stabilized market volume as home consumption, particularly of organic products, rose.

In value terms, the market demonstrated strong growth, rising from 522.1 million USD in 2018 to 648.2 million USD in 2022, then easing to 598.7 million USD in 2024. A significant price surge in 2022 was driven by higher feed costs due to droughts in key producing regions, increased raw material demand from China, and stricter EU regulations on antibiotic use, which raised production expenses. By 2024, consumer prices for fresh poultry meat had increased by approximately 37.7% since 2020, partly offsetting the lower physical volumes.

Structural trends throughout the period included a continued shift toward organic production, a growing share of organic chicken meat, and an increase in free-range laying hen holdings. These changes, alongside a long-term reduction in the number of poultry farms, altered the supply structure, reflecting heightened consumer focus on product quality and animal welfare, which supported price premiums and influenced market dynamics.

Production fresh or chilled whole chickens in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 348.6 million US dollars, marking a 0.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 148.2 thousand tonnes, down 0.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 22.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.1%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled whole chickens from Germany

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Germany's export volume of fresh or chilled whole chickens increased in 2020. Exports reached 4 437 tonnes, showing a modest rise of 4.6% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 242 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 34.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 49%, with an annualized decline rate of 20.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands were the top destinations for Germany's fresh or chilled whole chicken exports by volume. The United Kingdom accounted for 27.6% of exports, Italy for 26.6%, and the Netherlands for 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented 61.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 9.9 million US dollars, down 1.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 46.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Austria were the main destinations for Germany's fresh or chilled whole chicken exports by value. The United Kingdom accounted for 24.1% of exports, Italy for 22.1%, and Austria for 10.7%. Together, these three countries made up 56.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled whole chickens to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 8 000 tonnes, showing a slight gain of 1.5% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 5.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and Italy were the primary sources for Germany's fresh or chilled whole chicken imports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 32.9% of imports, Austria for 30.8%, and Italy for 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 73.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 172.1 million US dollars, marking a controlled advance of 7.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 31.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, the Netherlands, and France were the largest suppliers of fresh or chilled whole chickens to Germany by value. Austria accounted for 33.0% of imports, the Netherlands for 28.9%, and France for 14.5%. Together, these three countries formed 76.3% of total import value.

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

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