Despite the increasing costs of production and ongoing HPAI outbreaks, EU chicken meat production is expected to remain stable in 2023, according to a recently-published USDA GAIN report. 

With the easing of COVID restrictions, EU domestic consumption is forecast to increase by 1.4% in 2023 following the 1.2 percent growth in 2022. 

While inflation continues to be a concern, chicken meat is still generally more affordable compared to other animal protein. 

EU chicken meat imports increased by 13% in 2022, and further growth is expected in 2023 driven by a strong demand in the HRI sector. EU demand for Ukrainian chicken meat grew by 60% in 2022, as imports benefitted from temporary EU free-trade measures to support Ukraine. 

EU chicken meat exports decreased by 6.1% in 2022, and a further decline is expected in 2023 due to HPAI restrictions and lower price competitiveness relative to other world suppliers.