Italy: Fresh Whole Chicken Market 2025

Fresh Whole Chicken Market Size in Italy

The Italian fresh whole chicken market fell to $X in 2021, shrinking by -12.5% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a perceptible reduction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Whole Chicken Production in Italy

In value terms, fresh whole chicken production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 16%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Fresh Whole Chicken Exports

Exports from Italy

For the fourth year in a row, Italy recorded growth in shipments abroad of fresh or chilled whole chickens, which increased by 31% to X tons in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +18.4% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Greece (X tons) were the main destinations of fresh whole chicken exports from Italy, together accounting for 71% of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Malta, the Netherlands and Austria, which together accounted for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +45.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for fresh whole chicken exported from Italy were Germany ($X), the UK ($X) and Greece ($X), together comprising 72% of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Malta, the Netherlands and Austria, which together accounted for a further 24%.

Among the main countries of destination, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +48.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average fresh whole chicken export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices to Austria ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) and the UK ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Fresh Whole Chicken Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2021, the amount of fresh or chilled whole chickens imported into Italy shrank markedly to X tons, declining by -17.6% on the year before. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 192% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken imports dropped markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 134% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Greece (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of fresh whole chicken imports to Italy, together comprising 78% of total imports. Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +195.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Greece ($X) constituted the largest supplier of fresh or chilled whole chickens to Italy, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Greece stood at +102.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+34.3% per year) and Germany (-18.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average fresh whole chicken import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 28%. 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 Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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