Prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The introduction of more processed plant-based alternatives in Danish supermarkets from 2018, inspired by the promising outlook for plant-based products, created a new competitive segment within the prepared poultry market. Despite this, the total market volume grew substantially from 370.4 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 482.5 thousand tonnes in 2019, before stabilizing around 482.0 thousand tonnes in 2020. Domestic production more than doubled during this period, rising from 56.4 thousand tonnes to 105.6 thousand tonnes, indicating a strong expansion in local manufacturing capacity.

Major investments in production facilities supported further growth from 2021. Atria's investment in a new poultry processing plant in Nurmo, Finland, contributed to production increasing to 127.2 thousand tonnes that year, with the market volume reaching 503.7 thousand tonnes. In 2023, HKFoods centralized its poultry packaging operations and invested approximately 8 million euros in new ready-meal production lines in Eura, Finland, to meet growing demand for convenience products in retail and food service. This helped push production to a new high of 133.9 thousand tonnes, even as the overall market volume saw a slight adjustment to 587.4 thousand tonnes. HKFoods also began exporting poultry from its Rauma facility to China, expanding its international market access.

By 2024, several cross-currents were shaping the market. A new climate tax on agriculture in Denmark increased costs for poultry producers, while Norway's health directorate issued dietary guidelines recommending limited consumption of processed meat, potentially affecting consumer demand. Concurrently, sustained demand for ready meals and convenience products in Finland drove continued investment in production infrastructure. The market also contended with higher production costs due to a global rise in feed prices, while trends like advanced modified atmosphere packaging extended product shelf life. A steady demand for organic chicken in Denmark and a broader industry focus on sustainability and animal welfare continued to influence product development and consumer preferences across Northern Europe.

Production prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal in Northern 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

Northern Europe's production of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 105.6 K t, which represents a significant 37.2% jump from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production more than doubled, rising by 112.3% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 28.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern 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 Northern Europe has also grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 369 M $ US, showing a dramatic 53.5% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value surged by 129.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 32.0%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's exports of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal have declined for the third year running. In 2020, exports stood at 110.5 K t, down 20.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 40.2%, averaging an annual decline of 15.7%.

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

The export structure in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a diverse range of partners. Germany accounted for 10.0% of exports, the Netherlands for 8.7%, and France for 3.6%, together making up just 22.3% of total flows. The remaining 77.7% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

Foreign supplies of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal from Northern Europe have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 610 M $ US, a 10.3% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 6%, with an average annual rate of 2.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 733 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of exports in value terms remained highly fragmented. Germany contributed 9.3% of exports, the Netherlands 4.3%, and France 4.0%, together accounting for only 17.6% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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 prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, the volume of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal imports into Northern Europe declined. In 2020, imports were 486.9 K t, a 10.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.1% overall, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 544.3 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Germany, and the Netherlands remained the top suppliers of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal to Northern Europe in kind. Thailand accounted for 29.5% of imports, Germany for 15.2%, and the Netherlands for 9.4%, together forming 54.1% of total imports.

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

Following a two-year uptick, Northern Europe's import volume of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 055 M $ US, down 2.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak value was in 2019 at 2 114 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Germany continued to be the main sources for imports in value terms of prepared or preserved poultry meat or offal to Northern Europe. Thailand made up 31.7% of imports, the Netherlands 10.7%, and Germany 10.5%, jointly accounting for 52.8% of total 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