The European Union remains a world leader in poultry meat production, as evidenced by its consumption and export figures. The EU is currently the world’s fourth largest producer after the UK’s exit.
Poultry meat is an important source of protein (1) and an essential part of the diet of most Europeans. Therefore, producers and stakeholders are focused on providing a product that is as responsible as possible to the planet, animals, consumers and the whole society. In this way, we achieve a sustainable sector that tries to make the best use of resources to produce affordable quality meat by avoiding any kind of waste.
In addition to these efforts, the sector has identified a need to inform consumers of the sustainability, resilience and traceability attributes of the European poultry sector among consumers. This will enable them to be well informed about European poultry products and to prioritise them over other products from third countries.
The European Union remains a world leader in poultry meat production, as evidenced by its consumption and export figures. The EU is currently the world’s fourth largest producer after the UK’s exit.
Poultry meat is an important source of protein (1) and an essential part of the diet of most Europeans. Therefore, producers and stakeholders are focused on providing a product that is as responsible as possible to the planet, animals, consumers and the whole society. In this way, we achieve a sustainable sector that tries to make the best use of resources to produce affordable quality meat by avoiding any kind of waste.
In addition to these efforts, the sector has identified a need to inform consumers of the sustainability, resilience and traceability attributes of the European poultry sector among consumers. This will enable them to be well informed about European poultry products and to prioritise them over other products from third countries.
The European Union remains a world leader in poultry meat production, as evidenced by its consumption and export figures. The EU is currently the world’s fourth largest producer after the UK’s exit.
Poultry meat is an important source of protein (1) and an essential part of the diet of most Europeans. Therefore, producers and stakeholders are focused on providing a product that is as responsible as possible to the planet, animals, consumers and the whole society. In this way, we achieve a sustainable sector that tries to make the best use of resources to produce affordable quality meat by avoiding any kind of waste.
In addition to these efforts, the sector has identified a need to inform consumers of the sustainability, resilience and traceability attributes of the European poultry sector among consumers. This will enable them to be well informed about European poultry products and to prioritise them over other products from third countries.
The European Union remains a world leader in poultry meat production, as evidenced by its consumption and export figures. The EU is currently the world’s fourth largest producer after the UK’s exit.
Poultry meat is an important source of protein (1) and an essential part of the diet of most Europeans. Therefore, producers and stakeholders are focused on providing a product that is as responsible as possible to the planet, animals, consumers and the whole society. In this way, we achieve a sustainable sector that tries to make the best use of resources to produce affordable quality meat by avoiding any kind of waste.
In addition to these efforts, the sector has identified a need to inform consumers of the sustainability, resilience and traceability attributes of the European poultry sector among consumers. This will enable them to be well informed about European poultry products and to prioritise them over other products from third countries.
Poultry meat is affordable, quick to prepare and a beneficial ingredient to include in a balanced diet.
Poultry meat is among the most versatile in the kitchen, at home or in the restaurant since it can be used in an incredible number of delicious and appetising recipes.
Poultry meat has always been present on European tables although in different cuts and species in the different European countries.
The first historical references on poultry farming in Europe date from the 3rd – 2nd century BC by the Latin writer Cato the Elder . This practise and the consumption of poultry meat has evolved following the course of European history, at first featuring only in the domestic economy, and then becoming one of the hallmarks of the current European economic scene.
The European poultry meat sector promotes economic growth and strengthens local communities by creating direct jobs in rural and semi-rural areas across Europe
Additionally, the care that goes into quality European poultry meat can be found all through the supply chain, from animal welfare and health to the excellence of the final product, from sustainable production to the high standards of processing methods.
Key facts about European poultry.
Poultry meat is affordable, quick to prepare and a beneficial ingredient to include in a balanced diet.
Poultry meat is among the most versatile in the kitchen, at home or in the restaurant since it can be used in an incredible number of delicious and appetising recipes. Poultry meat has always been present on European tables although in different cuts and species in the different European countries.
The first historical references on poultry farming in Europe date from the 3rd – 2nd century BC by the Latin writer Cato the Elder . This practise and the consumption of poultry meat has evolved following the course of European history, at first featuring only in the domestic economy, and then becoming one of the hallmarks of the current European economic scene.
The European poultry meat sector promotes economic growth and strengthens local communities by creating direct jobs in rural and semi-rural areas across Europe.
Additionally, the care that goes into quality European poultry meat can be found all through the supply chain, from animal welfare and health to the excellence of the final product, from sustainable production to the high standards of processing methods.
Poultry is an important part of the European diet. In the past ten years, EU consumption has increased by 23% and experts predict a further slight increase over the next decade.
The European poultry sector is well prepared, both for the worldwide growing demand for this affordable source of protein and for the stringent requirements regarding food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection.
Authorities and poultry association at EU and national levels are working hand in hand to ensure uniform high standards throughout the production chain. No matter which EU country the poultry meat comes from, consumers can always be confident that they are buying safe, high-quality poultry meat produced with high European standards.
Poultry is an important part of the European diet. In the past ten years, EU consumption has increased by 23% and experts predict a further slight increase over the next decade.
The European poultry sector is well prepared, both for the worldwide growing demand for this affordable source of protein and for the stringent requirements regarding food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection.
Authorities and poultry association at EU and national levels are working hand in hand to ensure uniform high standards throughout the production chain. No matter which EU country the poultry meat comes from, consumers can always be confident that they are buying safe, high-quality poultry meat produced with high European standards.
The European poultry sector plays a relevant role on the global stage by being the third-largest poultry meat producer in the world after
the USA and China .
Chicken meat accounts for the largest share (82%) of EU poultry production, turkey meat (14%) and duck meat (4%) follow at great distance.
The EU poultry sector plays an important role not only as a meat supplier but also as an economic factor employing numerous direct workers in breeding, growing, fattening, slaughtering and processing – most of them on one of the 25,000 family farms. In addition, there are many indirect jobs, for example in the feed, packaging sectors and the machinery industry producing the equipment used in slaughterhouses.
The European poultry sector plays a relevant role on the global stage by being the third-largest poultry meat producer in the world after
the USA and China.
Chicken meat accounts for the largest share (82%) of EU poultry production, turkey meat (14%) and duck meat (4%) follow at great distance.
The EU poultry sector plays an important role not only as a meat supplier but also as an economic factor employing numerous direct workers in breeding, growing, fattening, slaughtering and processing – most of them on one of the 25,000 family farms. In addition, there are many indirect jobs, for example in the feed, packaging sectors and the machinery industry producing the equipment used in slaughterhouses.
Animal welfare, food quality and sustainability are the three main goals of the European poultry sector.
The Brussels-based umbrella organisation AVEC (European Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade) represents about 95% of poultry meat producers in the EU and is in constant contact with all relevant European and international organisations and decision-makers.
At the national level, the associations representing the interest of producers and processors of chicken, turkey and duck are:
Bundesverband der Geflügelschlachtereien (BVG) under the umbrella of the Zentralverbandes der Deutschen Geflügelwirtschaft (ZDG) – in Germany
CIDEF – Comité Interprofessionnel de la Dinde – in France
KRD-IG – Krajowa Rada Drobiarstwa – Izba Gospodarcza – in Poland
NEPLUVI – Vereniging van de Nederlandse Pluimveeverwerkende Industrie – in The Netherlands
UNAITALIA – Unione Nazionale Filiere Agroalimentari delle Carni e delle Uova – in Italy
Animal welfare, food quality and sustainability are the three main goals of the European poultry sector.
The Brussels-based umbrella organisation AVEC (European Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade) represents about 95% of poultry meat producers in the EU and is in constant contact with all relevant European and international organisations and decision-makers.
At the national level, the associations representing the interest of producers and processors of chicken, turkey and duck are:
Bundesverband der Geflügelschlachtereien (BVG) under the umbrella of the Zentralverbandes der Deutschen Geflügelwirtschaft (ZDG) – in Germany
CIDEF – Comité Interprofessionnel de la Dinde – in France
KRD-IG – Krajowa Rada Drobiarstwa – Izba Gospodarcza – in Poland
NEPLUVI – Vereniging van de Nederlandse Pluimveeverwerkende Industrie – in The Netherlands
UNAITALIA – Unione Nazionale Filiere Agroalimentari delle Carni e delle Uova – in Italy
The European poultry sector plays an important role on the global stage as the world’s fourth largest producer of broiler meat in 2020, after the United States, China and Brazil. For turkey meat, the EU (27) accounts for 33,1% of the world production share for the same year.
The objectives of the EU poultry sector are to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system and strengthen its resilience, ensure food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
By doing so, we will lead a global transition towards competitive farm to fork sustainability.
The European poultry sector plays an important role on the global stage as the world’s fourth largest producer of broiler meat in 2020, after the United States, China and Brazil. For turkey meat, the EU (27) accounts for 33,1% of the world production share for the same year.
The objectives of the EU poultry sector are to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system and strengthen its resilience, ensure food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
By doing so, we will lead a global transition towards competitive farm to fork sustainability.
The objectives of the EU poultry sector are to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system and strengthen its resilience, ensure food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
By doing so, we will lead a global transition towards competitive farm to fork sustainability.
A sector in line with EU policies
The objectives of the EU poultry sector are to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system and strengthen its resilience, ensure food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
By doing so, we will lead a global transition towards competitive farm to fork sustainability.
The EU production standards are already among the highest in the world, and its continuous improvement will make the EU poultry sector a guarantee of success in terms of nutrition and sustainability.
The deliverables and message(s) are in line with the relevant national rules in the field of public health in the Member States where this programme will be carried out.
They comply with Annex to regulation No 1924/2006 or are approved by the national authority responsible for public health in the target Member State.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. For guidance on balanced and healthy diets, please refer to the National Food Dietary Guidelines: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/health-promotion-knowledge-gateway/food-based-dietary-guidelines-europe-source-documents-food_en
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. For guidance on balanced and healthy diets, please refer to the National Food Dietary Guidelines: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/health-promotion-knowledge-gateway/food-based-dietary-guidelines-europe-source-documents-food_en
We would love to receive your feedback about our website.
This short survey will only take a few minutes.
Thank you!
No matter which European country the poultry meat comes from, consumers can always rely on food safety, environmental protection, and animal welfare. Being a major trading partner in the global poultry meat market, the EU has proved to be a role model by having some of the highest standards in the world.
