Poultry meat and offal market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The Estonian poultry meat market saw a significant contraction in 2019, falling to 23 485 tons. This followed the full cessation of frozen broiler part imports from the USA after Estonia's EU accession, which altered import patterns. Stricter food hygiene and meat storage regulations, mandating precise temperature controls for chilled and frozen products, also came into effect, requiring market adaptation. The market stabilized in 2020 at 23 428 tons, as demand for local chilled poultry increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to global supply chain disruptions, which offset reduced import availability.

From 2021, the market entered a growth phase, reaching 26 169 tons by 2023. This expansion was driven by the entry of new players offering chilled and marinated poultry products, which broadened consumer choice and intensified competition. Changes in packaging and labeling requirements improved product traceability and consumer information. Concurrently, a sustained consumer shift towards healthier, higher-quality chilled meat supported demand, while several major companies expanded their production capacities and product ranges to meet it.

In 2024, the market's physical volume adjusted to 24 578 tons, while its value continued rising to 74.2 million USD. This indicates a market evolution towards higher-value products, continuing the trend of consumers favoring premium chilled and processed poultry offerings over frozen imports.

Production poultry meat and offal in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's poultry meat and offal production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output reached 25 509 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 7.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 13.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 761 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 3.0%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase at 9.4%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2018-2021

Estonia's poultry meat and offal production has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 11 262 tonnes, reflecting a modest 5.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 23.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Estonia exported 9 056 tonnes of poultry meat and offal, indicating a 7.2% advance relative to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 22.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 5.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 20.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Finland, and Romania were the principal buyers of poultry meat and offal from Estonia, accounting for 63.1%, 12.2%, and 4.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 79.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, poultry meat and offal deliveries from Estonia amounted to 18 347 thousand US dollars, up by 14.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 26.1%, equating to an 8.0% annualized growth rate. The largest decline was in 2020 at 4.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 14.8%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Latvia, Finland, and Germany remained the main markets for Estonia's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms, with shares of 54.9%, 24.2%, and 4.0%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 83.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, poultry meat and offal imports into Estonia increased in 2021. The import volume reached 21 753 tonnes, representing a 2.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 22.2%, with an average annual decline of 8.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 21 151 tonnes, following the largest decline of 18.7% in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Finland, and Lithuania were the largest suppliers of poultry meat and offal to Estonia, contributing 25.2%, 21.2%, and 15.6% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they formed 62.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year reduction, poultry meat and offal imports into Estonia increased in 2021. Imports amounted to 48 014 thousand US dollars, showing a strong uptick of 19.5% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 40 171 thousand US dollars, after the largest decline of 10.4% in 2019.

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

In 2018-2021, three principal markets—Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia—together accounted for 67.0% of total imports in value terms of poultry meat and offal to Estonia.

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

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