Frozen whole chickens market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen whole chicken market in Greece opened the period at 6 270 tons in 2018, a year when consumption convenience, sustainability trends, and growing protein demand were noted as supportive factors. Market volume then entered a phase of contraction, declining to 5 870 tons in 2019 and further to 5 445 tons in 2020, before nearly stabilizing at 5 398 tons in 2021.

A sharp reversal occurred from 2022, with volume jumping to 6 828 tons that year and climbing to 7 315 tons in 2023. The 2023 increase was fueled by retail price rises and a consumer pivot toward staple protein products, while major producer Kotopoula Angelakis announced investment plans aimed at boosting production stability. Growth continued into 2024, reaching 8 057 tons, driven by large-scale capacity expansions – such as Ambrosiadis Kotopoula Olympou’s €28 million slaughterhouse project – and a sustained shift in meat consumption where chicken gained market share over pork and beef.

Production frozen whole chickens in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Greece's output of frozen whole chickens was valued at 17 387 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate increase of 7.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 31.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 27.3%, while the largest decline was in 2019, at 3.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Greece produced 7 551 tonnes of frozen whole chickens, showing a gradual rise of 5.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 27.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 21.8%, and the largest decline in 2019, at 0.8%.

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

Exports frozen whole chickens from Greece

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, frozen whole chicken deliveries from Greece increased in 2020. Greece exported 3 429 tonnes of frozen whole chickens in 2020, up by 16.8% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 937 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Albania, and Congo were the key destinations for Greece's frozen whole chicken exports in kind. Bulgaria accounted for 21.8% of exports, Albania for 16.0%, and Congo for 12.4%, together representing 50.2% of total export flows.

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

Greece's frozen whole chicken exports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 3 823 thousand US dollars worth of frozen whole chickens in 2020, reflecting a rise of 15.2% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 118 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece's frozen whole chicken exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Bulgaria led with 24.2% of exports, followed by Albania at 15.3%, and Congo at 9.6%, together accounting for 49.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports frozen whole chickens to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Greece's frozen whole chicken imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 1 323 tonnes of frozen whole chickens in 2020, corresponding to an 18.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 30.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 11.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 059 tonnes, with the largest increase in 2018 at 7.8% and the largest decline in 2019 at 21.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Belgium were the primary sources for Greece's frozen whole chicken imports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 27.1% of imports, Bulgaria for 24.2%, and Belgium for 15.2%, together making up 66.5% of total import 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

Frozen whole chicken imports into Greece declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports were recorded at 2 903 thousand US dollars in 2020, constituting a decrease of 17.2% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.4%, with an annualized decline rate of 6.9%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 3 964 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Italy were the central markets for Greece's frozen whole chicken imports in value terms, together accounting for 66.6% of total import flows.

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

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