What is the current situation of the poultry sector in the European Union? How many kilograms of poultry meat do Europeans consume? What are the top 3 poultry producers in the EU? And top 3 in consumption? Which are the poultry species produced in the EU? Has the UK’s exit from the EU had a major impact on the sector’s figures? Do you want to find out the answer to these questions? Then keep reading!
In this article we will try to answer all these questions using official data provided by the European Commission in collaboration with various international bodies.
Image by Atlas Marketing Studio
To begin with, let’s take an overview of the current situation in the sector and its key figures. The following table summarises some of the main indicators from 2016 to 2020:
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 EU27 | 2020 EU27 | |
Gross indigenous production | 14.503 | 14.564 | 15.260 | 13.478 | 13.610 |
Export of meat | 1.548 | 1.532 | 1.593 | 2.487 | 2.337 |
Import of meat | 882 | 789 | 802 | 850 | 748 |
Consumption | 13.829 | 13.817 | 14.462 | 11.834 | 12.016 |
Consumption per capita, kg | 23,8 | 23,7 | 24,8 | 23,3 | 23,6 |
Self-suffiency, % | 104,9 | 105,5 | 105,5 | 113,9 | 113,3 |
Source: EU Commission.
As we can see in the table, from 2019 to 2020, there has been a favourable trend that invites optimism in both figures for production and consumption. Thus, in 2020, production increased by 1% to 13,61 million tonnes. When it comes to consumption, it rose from 11,83 million tonnes to 12,01 million tonnes, which in per capita terms translates into 23,6 kg in 2020.
However, following the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2019, there was a significant change in the positive trends that were being achieved in recent years.
The main poultry meat producers in the European Union include Poland (19% of total production), France (13% of total production), Spain and Germany (12% respectively). Together with Italy (10%), these countries account for 73% of total EU production in 2021 (DG AGRI EU Agricultural Outlook).
From the point of view of the type of poultry produced in the EU, 82% of the European poultry production is made up of broilers, 14% of the total production belongs to turkey, 3% to duck and 1% to other species (ducks, guinea fowls, quails).
Source: MEG to Eurostat and national statistics.
This graph shows the evolution of poultry meat exports including the UK. As can be seen, in 2020 exports totalled 1,68 million tonnes, confirming an upward trend since 2016.
However, since the UK’s exit from the EU, poultry meat exports were reduced to 1,52 million tonnes in 2021. Despite this, the EU remains the world’s third largest exporter behind the United States and Brazil (Eurostat).
Major poultry meat exporters in the EU include the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Germany, France and Spain.
Finally, some of the most important EU export destinations outside the EU are the UK, Ghana, Ukraine, Cuba and Benin. From January to March 2022, European poultry meat exports to these countries totalled 116,5 thousand, 41,69 thousand, 26,83 thousand, 18,28 thousand and 16,59 thousand tonnes respectively (Eurostat).
According to the outlook issued by the Commission on trends in the agri-food sector in the European Union, poultry is the only meat category whose production has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic and the only one expected to grow between 2020 and 2030. Poultry meat consumption in the EU is expected to reach 24.6 kg per capita in 2030 (+1.2 kg compared to 2020), as poultry is seen as an affordable and high value source of protein.
In summary, the European poultry sector has positive current and future trends in terms of production, consumption and exports. Sustainability will play a key role in purchasing decisions, so it is vital to convey to consumers the constant contribution to environmental, social and economic sustainability, in line with the European Farm to Fork and Green Deal strategies. This proves how European poultry is your smart purchasing choice, as well as sustainably good for you and for the planet.
SUST EU POULTRY is a two-year promotion campaign supported by the European Commission and launched by three national poultry associations (from Germany, France and Spain) and their European umbrella association (from Germany, France and Spain) with the main goal of raising awareness among European consumers and professionals about the sustainability of the poultry sector and a product of great quality.
You can also learn more about sustainability of the sector by downloading our press kit here.
Additional information
PRESS CONTACT Ana María Martín ATLAS MARKETING STUDIO internacional@atlasmarketingstudio.com | CONTACT AVEC Federica Chiarella AVEC SECRETARIAT fc@avec-poultry.eu
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The content of the present advertising solely represents the opinion of the author and is the exclusive responsibility of the same.
The European Commission assumes no responsibility for the use that may be made of the information contained therein.
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
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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.
