Poultry meat and offal market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss poultry meat and offal market volume grew from 240 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 263 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was initially supported by a 5.8% increase in domestic poultry production in 2018 and a sustained consumer shift away from veal and pork towards poultry. The market's reliance on imports, particularly chicken breast from Brazil which accounted for 40% of imports, helped meet specific demand that domestic output could not fully cover.

Market growth accelerated from 2020 onward, driven by rising per capita consumption, which reached 14.99 kg in 2022, and increased imports. The available volume of poultry rose by 2.6% in 2022 due to higher domestic output and imports. However, in 2023, the total meat supply declined by 3.5%, contributing to a slight contraction in the poultry market volume to 259.6 thousand tons, even as poultry consumption remained resilient compared to other meats.

Structural changes, such as the consolidation of poultry farms and the increase in the domestic share of consumption to 66.3%, shaped the market landscape throughout the period. Retail meat sales remained stable, with poultry as a key category, reflecting its solidified position in Swiss diets.

Production poultry meat and offal in Switzerland

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

Switzerland produced 211.2 thousand tonnes of poultry meat and offal in 2020, marking a modest increase of 5.3% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 0.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 9.5%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The export market for poultry meat and offal showed considerable volatility during these years. From the low point in 2019 to the high in 2017, export volumes varied by a factor of 7.2. In 2020, Switzerland exported 607 tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 27.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 477 tonnes, and the most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with an 84.2% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and Austria were the primary destinations for Switzerland's poultry meat and offal exports in kind, collectively accounting for 83.8% of total export flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Switzerland's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6.0 million US dollars, up by 22.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 17.9%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria was the leading market for Switzerland's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms, accounting for 79.5% of total exports. Other destinations contributed to a smaller portion of the export value.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's imports of poultry meat and offal in kind declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 35 905 tonnes, which is 7.3% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Germany, and France were the top sources for Switzerland's poultry meat and offal imports in kind. Brazil accounted for 40.2% of imports, Germany for 15.3%, and France for 13.6%, together making up 69.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Switzerland's imports of poultry meat and offal in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 185.1 million US dollars, down by 4.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 211.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 8.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.1% drop.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Brazil, France, and Germany were the main suppliers of poultry meat and offal to Switzerland in value terms. Brazil contributed 24.0% of imports, France 22.6%, and Germany 19.6%, collectively accounting for 66.2% of total import value.

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

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