Fresh or chilled whole chickens market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, Italy's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens was supported by over 2 600 registered farms and a high level of self-sufficiency. In 2019, a recovery in producer prices after a five-month downturn encouraged increased output, although high summer temperatures temporarily slowed consumer demand. Production and market volume then contracted in 2020 and 2021.

From 2022 onwards, the market rebounded. Growth in global demand for chicken, especially for organic and sustainably raised products, stimulated Italian production. Online sales of fresh chicken, which had increased by 25% in 2021, expanded consumer access. By 2023, butchers such as Carni Barone reported record sales of whole chickens, driven by rising consumer preference for free-range, antibiotic-free poultry. This trend was further supported in 2024 by industry investments in modernization and an expanding cold chain, which improved product quality and availability.

Production fresh or chilled whole chickens in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 990 million US dollars, marking a significant decrease of 12.8% from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 1,137 million US dollars, which represented the largest annual increase of 4.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.6%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 2.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 494.4 thousand tonnes of fresh or chilled whole chickens, a decline of 7.1% compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 487.9 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest annual decline of 12.5%. The following year, in 2019, production rebounded with the largest increase of 9.1%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled whole chickens from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 22,310 tonnes, a gain of 1.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Greece formed the core of Italy's exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 35.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 24.0%, and Greece for 19.8%. Together, these three markets represented 79.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Italy exported fresh or chilled whole chickens valued at 45,443 thousand US dollars, indicating a slight fall of 1.9% compared to 2019. Exports reached their highest value in 2019 at 46,306 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.6% in 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 7.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Greece remained the three largest markets for Italy's exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 78.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled whole chickens to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. In 2019, imports bottomed at 4,536 tonnes, marking the largest annual decline of 44.3%. By 2020, imports rebounded to 8,289 tonnes, an increase of 82.8% from the previous year. Imports peaked in 2017, with a 1.8-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Greece, and Belgium were the leading suppliers of fresh or chilled whole chickens to Italy in volume terms. Germany accounted for 55.3% of imports, Greece for 16.2%, and Belgium for 7.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.3% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens in value terms showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 6,955 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 37.8%. By 2020, imports surged to 16,267 thousand US dollars, an uptick of 133.9% from the previous year. Imports peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Greece, and France were the principal markets for Italy's imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 73.4% of total import flows of fresh or chilled whole chickens.

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

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