Prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal expanded in volume from 649 K t in 2018 to 1 199 K t in 2022, with value rising from $4.1 billion to $8.1 billion. This growth was supported by rising consumer demand for chicken as a healthy and affordable protein source, as well as shifts in consumption patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic that boosted at-home eating. Later, the avian influenza outbreak in 2022 constrained domestic supply, prompting the EU to increase imports to meet demand, while consumers showed growing preference for value-added products like marinated and ready-to-cook poultry.

In 2023, market volume fell to 803 K t and value to $6.7 billion, partly reflecting the recovery of European production after avian flu, which reduced reliance on imports. At the same time, ongoing strengthening of traceability and food safety regulations raised compliance costs for processors. Throughout the period, the industry invested in automation and capacity modernization to improve efficiency, while adapting to evolving marketing standards aimed at consumer protection.

Production prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal, 2017-2020

Europe's production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 682.4 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 8.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal production in Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 5 236 million US dollars, up 37.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 28.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 441 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 15.5%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Europe's exports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in volume terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 506.0 thousand tonnes, down 24.7% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 671.7 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 33.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan and Switzerland were the primary destinations for Europe's exports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in volume terms, together accounting for 1.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increase, Europe's exports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in value terms fell. In 2020, exports stood at 3 883 million US dollars, representing a moderate decline of 4.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 7.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 4 049 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 10.5%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Switzerland was the main destination for Europe's exports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in value terms, accounting for 1.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's imports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in volume terms have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 864.2 thousand tonnes, showing a year-over-year gain of 5.8%. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 741.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 10.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand, Brazil, and China were the main sources for Europe's imports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 18.3% of imports, Brazil for 7.9%, and China for 2.8%, together making up 29.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Europe's imports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in value terms declined. In 2020, imports stood at 4 549 million US dollars, marking a slight fall of 2.9% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 682 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Brazil, and China were the largest suppliers of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal to Europe in value terms. Thailand contributed 19.3% of imports, Brazil 6.9%, and China 2.9%, together forming 29.0% of total import value.

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

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