The pace of decline in prices for chicken and pork accelerated last week

The publication illustrates price dynamics in the 47th week of 2023 with information received from market players. On November 20–24, the average price for broiler thigh dropped to 172 rubles per kilogram (-10% on a weekly basis), for chicken legs - to 182 rubles per kilogram (-8%), for fillet - to 355 rubles per kilogram (-3 %).

Pork belly fell in price to an average of 225 rubles per kilogram (-4%), and ham and shoulder - to 298 rubles and 290 rubles per kilogram (-3% for both positions).

However, chicken and pork prices remain 15% to 58% higher than at the end of November last year (depending on the category).

Kommersant's interlocutors from the poultry industry community associate the price decline not only with regulatory pressure, but also with producers' fears of losing foreign markets after restrictions on poultry exports were introduced (the decision has not yet been published). Over the year, the price of a chicken carcass has risen by more than 51%, and there is room to fall painlessly, one of them said.

General DIRECTOR of the National Union of Pig Breeders (NSU), Yuri Kovalev, explains the fall in pork prices by seasonal factors and increased supply. In January-September, pork production in the industrial sector was 6.1% higher than last year, and in September-October - by 8%, he specified. In 2024 , production is expected to increase by 6% compared to 2023.

The Association of MEAT Processors (ASOMP) confirmed that in October pork production reached its maximum - almost 490 thousand tons, which promises price stability in the short term. 

Director of the consulting company Yakov and Partners, Alexey Kletsko, added that price dynamics were affected by a reduction in purchases of raw materials by meat processing companies after the peak associated with preparations for the New Year holidays. In his opinion, meat prices will decline until the end of 2023, and a trend reversal is expected in mid-February 2024.