The UK poultry industry had a slight dip in value in 2024, according to Defra’s latest Total Income from Farming (TIFF) report, despite a broader recovery across the agricultural sector. Poultry output fell by 5.2% to £3.35 billion, down from £3.53 billion in 2023, bucking the general upward trend in livestock returns.
The poultry decline was offset by a surge in egg production, which had a very positive year. The egg market rose by £353 million (+35.2%) to £1.36 billion, driven by an 8.7% rise in farm-gate prices and a 4.1% increase in production.
Meanwhile, feed costs for poultry producers fell by 11.2%, easing some financial pressure, but lower poultrymeat prices and production meant returns were lower.
Overall, UK farming income rose to £7.7 billion in 2024, up £1.6 billion (+26.4%) from 2023, helped by a £1.2 billion drop in input costs.