Poultry meat and offal market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The poultry meat and offal market in Western Europe remained stable around 7.4 million tons in 2018-2019, supported by consistent household consumption and no major regulatory shifts. This changed abruptly in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted supply chains but then spurred a surge in demand, particularly for frozen products, pushing market volume up by 30% to 9.6 million tons.

The market continued to expand slightly in 2021, reaching 9.7 million tons, as processors like Cooperl added new slaughterhouse capacity. However, severe avian influenza outbreaks in 2022 tightened supplies, especially for premium Label Rouge and organic segments, while soaring feed prices due to the war in Ukraine raised production costs. These pressures contributed to a 7.5% market contraction that year. Recovery followed in 2023, with consumption growing 1.5% driven by foodservice demand, and quick-service chains such as KFC increasing their local sourcing.

By 2024, the sector entered a phase of accelerated growth, with reported production rising 12.1% and consumption up 9.8%. Leading companies invested in automated processing facilities, and EU-wide initiatives to cut greenhouse emissions encouraged upgrades to energy-efficient equipment, supporting further capacity expansion.

Production poultry meat and offal in Western 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

Following two years of decline, Western Europe's poultry meat and offal production rebounded with growth. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 7 816 K t, but then surged by 25.8% in 2020 to reach 9 830 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 13.6%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 7.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's poultry meat and offal production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2018, the value was at its minimum of 20 516 M $ US, but it then climbed sharply by 31.4% in 2020 to 28 647 M $ US. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 12.5%. From 2017 to 2020, the overall increase was 22.2%, averaging 6.9% per year.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Poultry meat and offal exports from Western Europe fell for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports peaked at 2 327 K t, but then dropped by 11.2% in 2019 and further decreased by 11.0% in 2020 to 1 839 K t. The largest increase was in 2018 at 6.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's poultry meat and offal exports in kind were spread across many partner countries. The top destinations included the United Kingdom with 12.0% of exports, the Philippines with 4.1%, and Ghana with 3.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 19.7% of total export flows, highlighting a highly diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of poultry meat and offal exports from Western Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports reached their highest point at 6 050 M $ US, but then fell by 7.0% in 2020 to 5 359 M $ US. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 8.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom was the largest buyer of poultry meat and offal from Western Europe in value terms, accounting for 16.9% of exports. Other significant buyers included Ireland at 3.8% and Spain at 2.8%. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 23.5% of total export value, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Poultry meat and offal imports into Western Europe decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports were at their maximum of 1 840 K t, but then dropped by 12.9% in 2019 and slightly by 1.4% in 2020 to 1 580 K t. The largest increase was in 2018 at 8.3%. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 7%, averaging a 2.4% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland was the leading supplier of poultry meat and offal to Western Europe in kind, with an 18.2% share of imports. The United Kingdom followed at 8.4%, and Hungary at 3.5%. Together, these three countries made up 30.1% of total imports in kind, showing a notable but not dominant role in the supply chain.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of poultry meat and offal imports into Western Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports reached their peak at 5 642 M $ US, but then fell by 6.7% in 2019 and further decreased by 6.6% in 2020 to 4 920 M $ US. The largest increase was in 2018 at 14.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland was the top supplier of poultry meat and offal to Western Europe in value terms, accounting for 19.5% of imports. Hungary contributed 5.4%, and Brazil 3.8%. Their combined share was 28.7% of total import value, underscoring a diversified sourcing strategy with no single supplier dominating the market.

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

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