German market analyst, ZMP, reports that EU poultrymeat production was hit in 2006 by avian influenza (AI), despite the fact the disease was largely confined to wild birds and to Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland.

Consumer fears in many countries led to plummeting sales in the first quarter of the year, although demand and prices recovered during the second quarter.

Estimates point to poultrymeat production in the EU falling around two percent year-on-year in 2006 to 10.77 million metric tons.

Source: Meatnews.com