By Charlie Reeve
EU broiler prices have continued to improve during the first three months of 2026 with broilers up by 0.7% in value during the past month to average 295.66 eurocents a kg in late March.
Broiler prices have continued to track above last year and are currently up by 4% on year earlier levels but remain below the peak seen last summer at more than 300 eurocents a kg.
In the US, prices have started to recover after dipping earlier in the year and now stand at the equivalent to 229.6 eurocents a kg.
Meanwhile, prices in Brazil continue to struggle and have fell to the equivalent of 116 eurocents a kg towards the end of March.
Broilers account for roughly 84% of total EU poultry meat production, with turkey accounting for 12%, and ducks 3%.
Poultry meat production in the EU-27 lifted by 2.1% last year.
EU placings of broiler chicks approached 600m in January, up on both 2024 and 2025 levels, according to the EU commission.
EU poultry meat exports were down by 1.5% in volume in 2025 at 2.1 million tonnes but were up by 9% in value.
EU imports of poultry meat increased by 2.7% to 920,000 tonnes, while values lifted by almost 18%.
Eggs
EU egg prices lifted above 300 eurocents a kg in late March, with prices continuing on an upwards trajectory throughout the past month.
Prices are currently up by 2.3% on month earlier levels and up by 7% on the same period last year.
The average price of class A eggs in packing stations lifted to 301 eurocents a kg in late March, holding prices above year earlier levels.
Egg prices in the US remain volatile following a recent spike and are currently trading at the equivalent to 238 eurocents a kg.
Prices in Brazil have also improved to roughly 161 eurocents a kg, while prices in India have dipped to the equivalent of 65 eurocents a kg.
Laying hen placings in the EU started 2026 on a high, with numbers lifting considerably to well in excess of 15m birds in January, the highest level for some time.
French, Germany, and Spain are still the major players in EU egg production, each accounting for roughly 15% of total EU production respectively.