July 6, 2007

EU's poultry market returning to normal levels after bird flu 

The EU's poultry market has returned to pre-2006 levels after the drop in sales caused by bird flu, according to a Gallup Food and Farm Facts' meat market report.

EU's poultry production is expected to grow by more than 1 percent in 2007.

Production in the EU fell by 3 percent in 2006 with broiler production down by 3 percent and turkey production 4 percent.

Meanwhile, poultry consumption in Finland rose 13 percent on-year for the first five months of 2007, while production rose 9 percent thanks to increase in carcass weight.

This production increase is expected to be tempered down to 3 percent for the whole of 2007 while consumption increase is expected to be pegged at 5 percent for the year.

Poultry imports have risen 40 percent compared to last year while exports increased 25 percent.