EU Chicken Production to Grow in 2025

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), European Union (EU) chicken production is forecast to reach 11.5 million metric tonnes in 2025, marking a 1.3% year-on-year increase. Post-COVID market conditions in the EU have been favorable for more affordable animal proteins such as chicken and eggs. Despite challenges like food inflation and rising energy costs, EU chicken consumption is expected to remain strong in 2025, which will likely sustain overall chicken demand and support production.

Poland is expected to remain the EU's top chicken producer, accounting... 

Progress in Poultry Welfare: Examining the European Chicken Commitment

The European Union (EU) has taken significant steps toward improving animal welfare in poultry farming through landmark initiative: the European Chicken Commitment (ECC). The initiative reflects a growing recognition of ethical, environmental, and consumer concerns tied to modern farming practices.

The European Chicken Commitment (ECC) is a comprehensive, science-based welfare policy with six key points aimed at improving the lives of chickens raised for meat. It addresses critical issues, including the consequences of breeding for fast growth and high yield, housing conditions, stocking density, and the process...

Impact of the EU-Mercosur Agreement on EU Beef Market

After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, reached a landmark free-trade and cooperation agreement on December 6, 2024. In 2023, EU agri-food exports to Mercosur totalled €3.2 billion, and the new EU-Mercosur Free-Trade Agreement aims to substantially increase these exports by removing high tariffs on key EU export products. The following article examines the potential impact of the deal on the beef market...

ANALYSIS: EU Chicken Prices Continue to Rise in August 2024

Despite steady chicken supplies, European chicken prices have been on an upward trend, mainly driven by high prices in the Polish market.

The Expana price for Polish chicken (9A05) reached EUR 3.85/kg in the second week of August 2024, up 2.1% year-on-year and 7.1% month-on-month. Prices continue to climb as demand grows, with chicken being frozen ahead of Christmas. Additionally, recent public holidays and summer vacations in some EU countries have further supported the price increases...

Trade Barriers Removed from Exports of French and Irish Beef to Republic of Korea

French and Irish beef producers will once again be able to export beef to the Republic of Korea, thanks to the European Commission’s efforts to negotiate the removal of local restrictions on EU beef.

In a significant development for the European beef industry, the Republic of Korea has officially opened market access for beef from France and Ireland. This positive result follows consistent representations made by the Commission, including through direct outreach by Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis...

Majority of EU Countries Ask Bloc to Scale Back Deforestation Law

Some 20 members of the European Union asked Brussels to scale back and possibly suspend the bloc's anti-deforestation law on Tuesday, saying the policy would harm farmers, in the latest blowback against Europe's environmental agenda.

The EU law aims to root deforestation out of supply chains for beef, soy and other agricultural products sold in Europe, so that European consumers are not contributing to the destruction of global forests from the Amazon to Southeast Asia.

Those rules equally apply to European farmers, who will be banned from exporting...

ANALYSIS: High Whole EU Egg Prices Leave Little Room For Movement Ahead of Easter

Historically, the pre-Easter period in Europe has been a peak time for the egg industry, characterized by rising prices leading up to the extended holiday weekend. However, this year, the uptick has been comparatively subdued, with minimal deviation observed from the 2024 trendline. Over the past five years, cage liquid whole egg values have reached an average Easter peak of 1.76 €/kg, reflecting a 22.4% increase from the Q1 five-year average low. This year, the price increase has been more restrained...