Poultry meat and offal market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the poultry meat market in Northern Europe was characterized by significant import dependency and consumer focus on price. In 2019, rising costs for feed and electricity pressured producer margins, contributing to a contraction in both market volume and value. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic altered consumption patterns, boosting demand for ready-cooked and packaged chicken, which supported a recovery in market volume even as overall market value declined amid price adjustments.

The market's volume reached a peak in 2021, driven by rising raw material and energy prices which made imported, lower-priced chicken more attractive, increasing import volumes. This cost inflation also propelled a sharp rise in market value. In 2022, persistent high input costs and geopolitical instability continued to favor imports of cheaper chicken, but the total market volume declined slightly as shifting consumer habits towards plant-based alternatives gained traction, while market value surged due to inflationary pressures. By 2023, the market volume stabilized, with growth in domestic production being outpaced by rising imports of frozen breast fillets, reducing the share of locally produced meat, as market value continued its upward trend.

Production poultry meat and offal in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

In Northern Europe, poultry meat and offal production reached 5 663 K t in 2020, showing a moderate 7.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 15.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 10.5% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Europe's poultry meat and offal production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 6 791 M $ US, reflecting a modest 3.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest value was achieved in 2018 at 7 917 M $ US. That same year saw the largest increase of 16.0%, while 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 11.1%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's poultry meat and offal exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 729.3 K t, representing an 8.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports expanded by 21.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern Europe's poultry meat and offal exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. The Netherlands accounted for 21.7% of export volume, South Africa for 6.3%, and France for 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented 33.5% of total exports, with numerous other countries holding smaller but meaningful shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of poultry meat and offal exports from Northern Europe declined for the second straight year. In 2020, exports totaled 875 M $ US, down 3.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 930 M $ US. That year also saw the largest increase of 11.7%, while 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and South Africa played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of Northern European poultry meat and offal in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 13.1% of export value, France for 6.8%, and South Africa for 6.3%. Their combined share reached 26.1% of total exports, indicating a diversified market structure.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Europe imported approximately 671.8 K t of poultry meat and offal in 2020, marking a substantial 16.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 17.5%, with an average annual decrease of 6.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when imports rose by 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany remained the leading sources for Northern Europe's poultry meat and offal imports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 28.9% of import volume, Poland for 21.6%, and Germany for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented 59.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's poultry meat and offal import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 081 M $ US, representing a 15.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 13%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 699 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 12.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany formed the core group of markets for Northern Europe's poultry meat and offal imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 33.9% of import value, Poland for 20.5%, and Germany for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 64.5% of total import flows.

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

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