IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘EU – Chicken Meat – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the chicken meat market in the European Union amounted to $19.5B in 2018, rising by 13% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period.

The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018, with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the chicken meat market reached its maximum level at $19.6B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production in the EU

In 2018, the amount of chicken meat produced in the European Union amounted to 13M tonnes, surging by 3.6% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2009, when the output figure increased by 8.3% y-o-y. Over the period under review, chicken meat production reached its maximum volume in 2018, and is likely to continue its growth in the near future. The general positive trend in terms of chicken meat output was largely conditioned by a noticeable increase of the number of producing animals and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

Exports in the EU

In 2018, chicken meat exports in the European Union stood at 4.9M tonnes, increasing by 4.7% against the previous year. The total exports indicated a strong growth from 2007 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last eleven year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, the chicken meat exports increased by +25.5% against 2011 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011, when exports increased by 21% y-o-y. The volume of exports peaked in 2018, and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, chicken meat exports stood at $8.8B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total exports indicated a remarkable growth from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, the chicken meat exports increased by +20.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2011, with an increase of 27% y-o-y. Over the period under review, chicken meat exports reached their maximum in 2018, and are likely to continue its growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (1.4M tonnes) and Poland (1.1M tonnes) represented the largest exporters of chicken meat in 2018, amounting to approx. 29% and 22% of total exports, respectively. Belgium (586K tonnes) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 12% share, followed by France (6.7%), the UK (6.7%) and Germany (6.6%). Spain (123K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Poland, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest chicken meat markets in the European Union were the Netherlands ($2.6B), Poland ($2B) and Belgium ($947M), with a combined 64% share of total exports.

Export Prices by Country

The chicken meat export price in the European Union stood at $1,787 per tonne in 2018, increasing by 7.1% against the previous year. In general, the chicken meat export price, however, continues to indicate a mild descent.

There were significant differences in the average export prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest export price was Germany ($2,042 per tonne), while the UK ($1,015 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by Spain, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports in the EU

In 2018, approx. 4.7M tonnes of chicken meat were imported in the European Union; growing by 8.3% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, chicken meat imports reached their peak figure in 2018, and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, chicken meat imports stood at $7.6B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011, when imports increased by 22% y-o-y. Over the period under review, chicken meat imports reached their maximum in 2018, and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The UK (1M tonnes) and Germany (984K tonnes) represented the key importers of chicken meat in 2018, recording near 22% and 21% of total imports, respectively. The Netherlands (592K tonnes) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by France (9.6%) and Belgium (4.6%). The following importers – Ireland (176K tonnes), Sweden (172K tonnes), Spain (115K tonnes), the Czech Republic (100K tonnes), Bulgaria (96K tonnes), Romania (94K tonnes) and Greece (73K tonnes) – together made up 18% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Bulgaria, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($1.5B), Germany ($1.3B) and France ($1.1B) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together comprising 51% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Romania, Greece and Bulgaria, which together accounted for a further 34%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the chicken meat import price in the European Union amounted to $1,633 per tonne, surging by 5.3% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%.

Import prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest import price was France ($2,371 per tonne), while Sweden ($997 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by Sweden, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform