European poultry meat price goes up, while broiler prices are under preassure

The broiler market remains subdued. Prices in the market have taken a clear step downwards, with import pressure continuing to be the main driver behind the decline. Meanwhile, the average poultry meat price is still increasing.Despite broiler prices coming under pressure, the average European chicken meat price is still rising. In week 15, prices climbed to close to €300 per 100 kilos. These higher prices are largely the result of favourable weather conditions. In spring, good weather typically boosts poultry consumption, particularly in the foodservice sector. At the same time, chicken remains a popular choice for barbecues. Preparations for the barbecue season are therefore creating considerable upward pressure on poultry prices.In Northern Europe and Poland, the pattern differs somewhat. Polish prices are holding at around €200 per 100 kilos. Meanwhile, Belgian prices took a slight step back in week 14, declining from €247.61 to €242.27.Broiler market under pressure The average slaughter price of Dutch broilers fell to €1.07 per kilo in week 16. This marks the third consecutive week in which slaughterhouse prices have declined by 1 cent.Import pressure from Brazil continues to be one of the key factors weighing on prices. The Brazilian association for the animal protein sector (ABPA) reported exports to the European Union of 30,700 tonnes for March, representing a further increase of 33.7%.In addition, the production of hatching eggs has largely normalised. As a result, the sector is once again better able to operate at the desired scale. Since roughly the summer of 2025, the European Union has observed a recovery in the poultry population, and these effects are gradually becoming visible in the market.Free market declines again more sharply Partly due to this improved availability, prices on the free market continue to fall more sharply than the reported slaughter prices. As in the previous week, the price declined by 3 cents per kilo in week 17. As a result, the price of poultry meat now stands at €1.10 per kilo.Once again, the index does not follow the Dutch slaughter quotation, but instead tracks the Belgian Deinze quotation, as prices in Belgium remain above the Dutch level. In week 16, the price in Belgium stood at €1.14 per kilo, compared with €1.17 per kilo the week before.