EU DATA: Chicken exports fall 10% year on year in Jan-Nov 2025; imports down 6%

The EU exported 1.39 million mt of chicken products in the first 11 months of 2025, down 9.6% from 1.54 million mt in the corresponding period the previous year, according to the European Commission's latest update.

Exports included 951,539 mt of frozen chicken, down 5% year over year; 371,329 mt of fresh chicken, down 7.5%; and 71,329 mt of chicken offals, down 30%.

Poland remained the top chicken exporter, shipping out 510,380 mt, followed by the Netherlands, with 360,270 mt, and Belgium, with 112,660 mt.

The UK was the largest buyer of EU chicken, importing 392,870 mt, followed by Ghana, with 143,290 mt, and Congo, with 108,820 mt.

In November, the bloc exported 122,711 mt of chicken meat, down 4% year over year, of which 85,603 mt was frozen chicken, 31,761 mt of fresh chicken and 5,347 mt of chicken offals.

Poland, with 49,370 mt, the Netherlands, with 28,730 mt, and Belgium, with 8,680 mt, remained the top exporters, while the UK, with 33,810 mt, Ghana, with 14,560 mt, and Congo, with 9,880 mt, were top buyers during the month.

Imports down 6%

Chicken imports into the EU over Jan-Nov fell 6% year over year to 345,302 mt. The volume included 175,528 mt of frozen chicken, down 1% year over year; 153,971 mt of fresh chicken, down 9%; and 15,803 mt of offals, down 27%.

The Netherlands was the largest importer at 169,720 mt, followed by France at 42,470 mt and Austria at 35,400 mt.

The UK remained the leading exporter of chicken to the EU at 121,260 mt, followed by Ukraine, with 107,500 mt, and Brazil, with 63,890 mt.

In November, the bloc imported 31,439 mt, down 8% year over year, of which 12,390 mt was frozen chicken, 15,960 mt was fresh chicken and 1,379 mt was chicken offals.

The top chicken-importing countries within the EU were the Netherlands, with 17,780 mt, Austria, with 3,740 mt, and France, with 2,940 mt, while top suppliers were Ukraine, with 11,420 mt, and the UK, with 9,090 mt.

EU-Brazil trade

The EU resumed chicken trade with Brazil in September, after a temporary suspension due to a bird flu outbreak in May. The resumption has been implemented in phases, with most regions in Brazil resuming exports immediately, while Rio Grande do Sul's exports began Oct. 2.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed chicken leg FCA Brazil at $2,536/mt Jan. 15, unchanged day over day.