EU Poultry Meat Output and Consumption Forecast to Rise

EU agricultural markets are strongly affected by the general economic outlook, according to the European Commission's Short Term Outlook for Arable Crop, Meat and Dairy Markets.

The overall EU meat market in 2010 was characterised by an increase in production (2.4 per cent) and a recovery in EU net trade position. Production continues to increase in 2011 but is expected to decrease slightly, by 0.3 per cent, in 2012. Overall EU meat consumption in 2012 is likely to remain at the level of 2010.

After a 2.4 per cent increase in 2010, EU poultry meat production is expected to remain at the same level in 2011, according to the report, and increase again slightly (0.6 per cent) in 2012, mainly triggered by a higher EU domestic demand. World demand for poultry meat is growing which will benefit EU poultry meat exports to third countries. It is expected that poultry meat exports will increase by 18.8 per cent in 2011 and decrease by 1.6 per cent in 2012.

Chicken is expected to continue benefiting from its 'cheapest meat' image and overall EU poultry meat consumption is expected to increase slightly (by 0.8 per cent) in 2012.

In the US, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the definitions and standards for the official US classes of poultry so that they more accurately and clearly describe the characteristics of poultry in the market. The changes will come into effect in 2014.

Although 1.5 million broilers and layers are known to have perished in the floods in Thailand, the country is reporting that chicken exports are on track as importers rush to place orders.

And finally, an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian flu has been reported at a farm in northwestern Cambodia.