Poultry meat and offal market in Southern Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the poultry meat market in Southern Europe expanded gradually, supported by rising consumer demand for fresh and frozen products amid urbanization and shifting dietary patterns. Investments in cold chain infrastructure improved storage and distribution, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted demand for frozen poultry due to its longer shelf life, leading to stable market volume around 5.8 million tons.

A sharp surge occurred in 2021, with market volume jumping 30% to 7.6 million tons, fueled by the expansion of online retail channels and continued investment in production automation. However, in 2022, widespread avian influenza outbreaks disrupted supply, reducing availability and causing a 12% drop in volume to 6.7 million tons.

The market recovered strongly in 2023, reaching 7.9 million tons, as processors adopted advanced technologies like individual quick freezing (IQF) and online sales channels grew, enhancing product quality and accessibility.

Production poultry meat and offal in Southern 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 Southern Europe, poultry meat and offal production remained stable in 2020, with output reaching 5 797 thousand tonnes, showing no significant change from 2019. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 5 726 thousand tonnes, before climbing to a peak of 5 804 thousand tonnes in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when production fell by 0.7%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 1.4% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, poultry meat and offal production in Southern Europe saw a decline in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 12 293 million US dollars, down 10.3% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 709 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 8.9% in 2018.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Poultry meat and offal exports from Southern Europe totaled 423.7 thousand tonnes in 2020, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 423.2 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 425.4 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 0.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for poultry meat and offal in Southern Europe was balanced rather than concentrated. France accounted for 13.1% of exports, Germany for 10.5%, and Benin for 6.5%, together representing 30.0% of total flows. The remaining 70.0% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of poultry meat and offal from Southern Europe declined in value. In 2020, export volume reached 899 million US dollars, reflecting a notable drop of 10.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 005 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 9.5% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of poultry meat and offal from Southern Europe in value terms were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Germany accounted for 17.7% of exports, France for 17.5%, and Austria for 4.9%, together representing only 40.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's poultry meat and offal import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 447.5 thousand tonnes, showing a limited decrease of 8.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 513.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.4%.

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

The country composition of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Poland accounted for 13.0% of imports, Germany for 13.0%, and the Netherlands for 10.0%, together forming just 36.0% of total flows. The remaining 64.0% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Poultry meat and offal imports to Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports totaled 989 million US dollars, indicating a decrease of 16.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 245 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.1%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, poultry meat and offal imports to Southern Europe were supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands—together represented only 38.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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