EU: Poultry Market Year in Review and Forecast for 2025

Economic factors, including high food inflation , have led to a reduction in non-essential household expenditure, potentially affecting demand for poultry products. 

Although the EU poultry market faces a price decline in 2024 , the expected modest increase in production and stabilisation of production costs may influence price trends in the coming years. However, economic conditions and consumer spending patterns will continue to play an important role in shaping market dynamics.

Forecasts

EU chicken MEAT production is expected to increase by 2.7% in 2024, driven by robust domestic and EXPORT demand. This growth is expected to continue in 2025, with annual growth forecast at 0.9%, reflecting a stabilising global market and increasing price competition from other meats. Poland is expected to remain the EU’s largest chicken meat producer in 2025, accounting for over 22% of total EU production.

Chicken meat consumption in the EU is set to grow by 1.6% in 2024 and by 0.5% in 2025, reaching 25.2 kg per person. This makes poultry the second most consumed meat in the EU after pork.

The EU's chicken trade surplus is expected to increase in 2024 and 2025 as exports regain lost ground. The UK is expected to remain the EU's main destination for poultry exports. Imports from countries such as Ukraine will face increasing restrictions due to EU policies and regulations, which will contribute to the overall trade surplus.

In summary, the EU poultry market is poised for further expansion in 2025, with production, consumption and exports growing. However, the market will face competition from global producers, and changes in trade policy and consumer preferences will play a decisive role in shaping the industry’s trajectory.