EU chicken meat output forecast to expand 2% next year
EU chicken meat production is expected to rise 2% in 2027 after 3.4% growth in 2026, according to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report, helped by sustained domestic demand and reduced competition from Brazil after the EU ban on Brazilian chicken meat took effect on September 3, 2026. Broiler meat accounts for about 98% of EU chicken production, and Europe recorded its lowest HPAI cases in poultry and wild birds since 2019/2020 as of June 2026. Free-range and organic production expansion is raising veterinary concerns, while late spring and summer 2026 heatwaves and drought killed many birds, mostly laying hens, and increased feed costs.
Higher EU chicken output could keep supplies relatively stable for consumers, though feed-cost pressures may still reach retail prices. Farmers, especially free-range and organic producers, may face greater veterinary risk and heat-related losses, while laying-hen operations could be particularly exposed. Reduced Brazilian competition may support EU producers’ margins, but it could also affect importers and trade relationships. Overall, households may see modest price effects, and the sector may continue adapting to climate and disease pressures. Count: Higher1 EU2 chicken3 output4 could5 keep6 supplies7 relatively8 stable9 for10 consumers,11 though12 feed-cost13 pressures14 may15 still16 reach17 retail18 prices.19 Farmers,20 especially21 free-range22 and23 organic24 producers,25 may26 face27 greater28 veterinary29 risk30 and31 heat-related32 losses,33 while34 laying-hen35 operations36 could37 be38 particularly39 exposed.40 Reduced41 Brazilian42 competition43 may44 support45 EU46 prod