European Union chicken meat production is forecast to grow by 0.4% in 2024, following the 1.65% increase in 2023, according to a recent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report.

Despite continuing outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in major EU producing countries and increasing competition from imports, chicken meat production continues to grow driven by strong domestic demand. 

EU chicken meat production has benefitted from slightly lower energy and feed prices in 2023, particularly in Poland, now the leading EU producer. In several countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, environmental regulations such as the new limits on nitrogen emissions constrain further expansion in production. French chicken meat production also fell in CY 2023, as French costs of production remain relatively high.

In the wake of the HPAI outbreaks, EU Member States are continuing to reinforce surveillance and biosecurity measures on poultry farms. Some areas are even instituting temporary bans on free-range poultry farms.