New year marks poultry meat market low

Poultry meat prices declined significantly toward the end of 2025. Despite ongoing concerns about avian influenza, the effect on prices has been minimal. The market now appears to have bottomed out. European poultry meat prices have decreased at the end of 2025, as shown in the weekly dashboard of the European Union. On average, the price dropped by 2.3% compared to the previous month to €283.42 per 100 kilos. It is remarkable that the poultry meat price, which remained high throughout the year, is now lower than a year earlier. Compared to the same period a year ago, the price has decreased by 0.7%. Although the prices are still significantly higher, the difference with the United States is shrinking. This is partly due to higher prices in the United States, where prices rose from about €200 per 100 kilos to €216.85 per 100 kilos. The price difference has thus decreased to 35.3%. The European price is still 119.87% higher than that in the United States. Despite avian influenza, the European poultry meat price remains under pressure. Although tensions are increasing due to the rapid spread of the virus, the supply does not seem to be affected for the time being. Forecasts from the European Union indicate that there is still growth compared to a year earlier. If this forecast comes true, the European supply will increase by 1.8% to 14.4 million tonnes. However, this increase is significantly lower than in previous years. In 2024, production increased by 5.3%, and in 2023, despite significant problems with the avian influenza virus in the winter months, there was still a 2.5% increase. In addition to the increase in supply, a strong supply from Brazil is a significant reason for the pressure on the market. This causes prices to be lower than a few months to half a year ago in two ways. Due to the export being stagnant this summer, prices were significantly higher during that period. In addition, lower exports during that period led to stockpiling. Since these stocks have been released, prices have dropped significantly. Stability It now seems that the bottom of the poultry meat price has been reached. Dutch slaughter prices have been stable at €1.05 per kilo since week 51 after a clear drop at the end of the year. Free-range broilers are currently still predominantly being exported to Belgium. There, prices have been at €1.19 per kilo since week 44. However, in week 52 there was an increase of 1 cent to €1.20 per kilo. This stabilization, or even slight increase in the case of Belgium, comes as no surprise. The trend aligns with a common consumption pattern. In the new year, chicken sales almost always increase annually. Two developments work in favor of poultry meat. After the holidays, consumers usually cut back on their food expenditures, making relatively cheap chicken meat more popular. Additionally, due to their New Year's resolutions and after a hedonistic period, consumers are focusing more on their health. Thanks to chicken's good reputation in this regard, the poultry meat market also benefits from this trend.