January 18, 2007

Hungary's chicken population down but consumption remains high

The Hungarian chicken population is down 13 percent -on-year as analysts warn that production could fall further given that egg production figures are also looking to drop.

Poultry numbers in Hungary are at 24 million head in August 2006. Hatchings reached 73 million head in the first half of 2006 - down 8.7 percent year-on-year.

Poultry meat production in Hungary has been falling steadily since 2002 due to the impact of bird flu outbreaks and competition in the EU market. 

Despite lower chicken production, poultry consumption in Hungary remains high. At per capita consumption of 35kg, it is more than 50 percent above the EU level of 22.5kg.

Turkey numbers stood at 4 million head in August 2006, up 4 percent on-year. Duck numbers have fallen by 27 percent to 3 million head and geese numbers have risen 4 percent to 3.5 million head.