Poultry production costs outside the EU are 28–44% lower

Poultry meat production costs in major exporting countries outside the European Union are 28–44% lower than those of European producers. According to a new study by the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU (AVEC), the cost gap stood at just 14–26% in 2017 but had widened significantly by 2024. The study covers five major competitors of the EU — Brazil, Thailand, Ukraine, Argentina and the United States — highlighting intensifying price competition in the European market.

One of the main drivers of competitive pressure has been a sharp increase in poultry imports from Brazil. From January to September 2026, Brazilian exporters shipped around 312 thsd tons of poultry meat to the EU, 34% more than the total volume imported during the whole of 2025, when shipments reached 233 thsd tons. In September alone, Brazil exported 43.5 thsd tons of chicken meat to the European market. According to European Commission data, EU poultry imports from Brazil increased by 44% year on year in the first half of 2026.

Against the backdrop of rising imports, AVEC is calling on the European Commission to strengthen controls on compliance with antimicrobial use requirements in poultry production. The association has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Brazil’s control system and is seeking independent verification of compliance with EU standards. In particular, this includes feed inspections, checks at hatcheries and the separation of poultry intended for export to the EU from other production. AVEC is also urging the postponement of the vote scheduled for November 16–17 on restoring Brazil’s export authorization until additional guarantees are provided.

To protect European producers, the association proposes mandatory origin labelling for poultry meat used in processed foods and foodservice, tighter control over tariff quotas and the application of safeguard mechanisms under the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. In addition, AVEC opposes granting further trade preferences to Thailand until shortcomings in product traceability and certification systems have been addressed.

According to AVEC, rising production costs in the EU are largely linked to regulatory requirements covering all stages of poultry production and processing. The study identifies 52 EU legislative instruments that could potentially affect production costs. Additional pressure could come from new deforestation regulations affecting feed ingredients, particularly soybeans, as well as upcoming animal welfare requirements.

Tags: EU, Poultry, chicken