“We chicken farmers thank consumers for this warm welcome,” Matthías H. Gudmundsson, head of the Association of Chicken Farmers in Iceland, told Fréttabladid.

Jóhannes Sigfússon, head of the Association of Sheep Farmers, said he is not surprised that chicken has become more popular than lamb and mutton.

“Consumption of mutton was almost abnormally high in Iceland. There is a very strong tradition for consumption of mutton but it is not realistic that it will continue forever,” Sigfússon stated.

Between August 1, 2006 and July 31, 2007 Icelanders bought over 7,198 tons of Icelandic poultry – 96 percent chicken – and during the same time 7,161 tons of Icelandic lamb and mutton – 88 percent lamb.

“It shows how eating habits in Iceland are changing,” Gudmundsson said. “In 1995, when fresh chicken could be sold here for the first time, the consumption measured five kilos for each Icelander in one year, but 42 kilos of mutton. Now people want light meat and white meat is on the rise.”