Ireland: Chicken Meat Market 2025

Chicken Meat Market Size in Ireland

The Irish chicken meat market soared to $X in 2021, increasing by 15% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Chicken meat consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Chicken Meat Production in Ireland

In value terms, chicken meat production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of chicken meat in Ireland was estimated at X kg per head in 2021, approximately equating 2020. Overall, the yield indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, chicken meat yield increased by +36.4% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. The chicken meat yield peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

The number of animals slaughtered for chicken meat production in Ireland contracted modestly to X heads in 2021, which is down by -2.9% against 2020 figures. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the number of producing animals increased by 6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number attained the maximum level at X heads in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Chicken Meat Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, overseas shipments of chicken meat decreased by -30.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, exports, however, showed a noticeable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, chicken meat exports declined remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for chicken meat exports from Ireland, with a 47% share of total exports. Moreover, chicken meat exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), twofold. Ghana (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK totaled +1.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+53.1% per year) and Ghana (+9.5% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for chicken meat exports from Ireland, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the UK was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+48.3% per year) and Ghana (+10.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average chicken meat export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hong Kong SAR (+9.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Chicken Meat Imports

Imports into Ireland

For the third consecutive year, Ireland recorded decline in supplies from abroad of chicken meat, which decreased by -1.8% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -30.2% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 24%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, chicken meat imports reduced slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of chicken meat to Ireland, accounting for a 48% share of total imports. Moreover, chicken meat imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the UK (X tons), twofold. Poland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 18% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands stood at +4.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (-3.0% per year) and Poland (+35.6% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of chicken meat to Ireland, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands stood at +2.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+34.4% per year) and the UK (-9.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average chicken meat import price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 6.3%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (-0.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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