The poultry market - Italy

The global chicken market is seeing an upward trend with an expected value of $429.11 billion by 2028, growing at a 5.45 percent CAGR. The United States remains the largest consumer, while increased consumption has been noted worldwide, particularly in emerging countries. In 2022, the United States led production with 20,992 thousand metric tons, followed by Brazil with 14,465 thousand, and China with 14,300 thousand. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic impacting demand and production methods, poultry consumption has surged in Italy, with domestic meat consumption rising by 25 percent in March compared to a five-year monthly average. However, investigations into production practices and animal welfare standards in Italy raise concerns over future demand and industry scrutiny.

Resilience and Growth in the Italian Poultry Market

The Italian poultry market has shown resilience and is marked by consistent growth, playing a significant role in the agribusiness industry and forming an essential part of the Italian diet. Chicken, a versatile and nutritious food source, has witnessed a steady rise in demand in Italy, echoing global consumption trends. In terms of production, Italy stands strong as one of the foremost poultry producers in Europe, contributing between 8 and 10 percent to the continent's total output by 2022. Understandably, this positions Italy amongst countries like Poland, Spain, Germany, and France, which are key players in the European market. 

Notably, the Italian market has recently attracted attention due to reports highlighting concerns over animal welfare and sanitary conditions. These issues have brought to light the need for regulatory vigilance and could influence market dynamics in the near future, potentially steering consumer preference towards more sustainable and ethically produced poultry products. The chicken consumption pattern in Italy reflects a broad acceptance with a high consumption rate, with more than 80 percent of the population partaking in white meat at least once a week over the past five years. Per capita consumption has also indicated stability with a slight increase, moving from around 20 kg to slightly over 21 kg in the course of three years, marking an overall rise of about 5 to 10 percent. The future trajectory of the Italian poultry market will undoubtedly involve adapting to the heightened consumer awareness regarding animal welfare, sustainability, and the ethical aspects of production. These factors, coupled with the inherent robust demand for chicken, paint a picture of a market that, while having to navigate emerging challenges, has a strong foundation for continued growth and evolution.

Key Players in Italy's Prolific Poultry Market

Italy's poultry market is both vital and vibrant, bolstered by a constellation of key players who not only have established their names domestically but also command noteworthy presence in the broader European context. As the Italian appetite for chicken sustains its momentum, there are a few market mavens that soar above the rest in shaping the industry's contour and direction.

• The Veronesi Group, encompassing the brands Aia, Negroni, and Veronesi, emerges as a colossal entity in Italy's chicken production arena. This titan of the poultry world is known for its expansive operations, which reflect in its dominant stance in the market. As it continues to innovate and uphold standards of quality, the group leads in influencing market trends and consumer preferences.
• Following the industry behemoth is O.R.A. S.r.l., another notable entity with a reputed place in the Italian poultry ecosystem. Its name is synonymous with quality and reliability, two attributes that have cemented its position as a trusted producer in the market.
• Distinguished for its commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices, the Fileni Agricultural Company** has garnered particular attention.
• Not only has it carved a niche in the organic segment, but recent investigative journalism has also thrown it into the limelight, scrutinizing its production conditions and ethical standards. In the sphere of cooperatives, Ripro-Coop Agricultural Cooperative Society stands out as a collaborative model that showcases how collective effort can lead to significant market influence.
• Representing the interests and the output of multiple producers, this cooperative demonstrates the collective strength inherent in Italy's poultry industry. Individual excellence is also marked by companies like the Sorriso Agricultural Society and Agricultural company Il Sole, both of which have etched their names as reliable producers.

These entities contribute significantly to the multifaceted nature of the industry, ensuring that variety and choice remain hallmarks of the Italian poultry sector.

• Feed production, key to sustaining the poultry value chain, counts on giants such as Romagnolo Feed Mill and Prealpina Agricultural Company S.r.l. Both play a critical role in the nourishment and well-being of poultry stocks across the nation, further influencing the quality of the final product reaching the consumers' tables.

As Italy's poultry market continues to grow and evolve, these main players are set to wield considerable impact. They must navigate an ever-changing landscape of consumer demands, regulatory standards, and global market pressures.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 17/04/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• World poultry market
• Poultry production
• Major chicken producers in Europe
• Breakdown of agricultural turnover
• Export - import of poultry (HS code: 0207)
• Poultry exports to major countries
• Poultry imports from major countries
• Poultry producer prices
• Consumption of white meat at least a few times a week
• Average per capita consumption of poultry meat
• Poultry meat offerings
• Consumption of white meat at least a few times a day per age
• Poultry meat consumption dynamics per household compared with pre-pandemic
• Consumption of white meat at least a few times a week by occupation
• Consumption of white meat at least a few times a week per housing center
• Breakdown of head and broiler herds
• Number of enterprises in the sector: Retail trade in non-specialized establishments (Ateco: 47.11)
• Number of broilers slaughtered
• Number of enterprises active in the sector: poultry meat processing and preservation (Ateco: 10.12)
• Turnover of enterprises active in the sector: poultry meat processing and preservation (Ateco: 10.12)
• Consumer price index trends for poultry