By Charlie Reeve
Broiler prices in the European Union have continued their strong upward trend in 2025, rising by 1.7% over the past month to reach 294.7 eurocents a kg by the end of May.
This marks an 8% increase compared to the same week last year and sets a new all-time record high.
It also widens the gap between prices in the EU and further afield in the US and Brazil.
Broiler prices in the US are currently at the equivalent to a 30 eurocents a kg discount to those in the EU, despite having been above the EU price at the start of the year.
The US broiler price has fallen by roughly 20 eurocents a kg during the past five months and stood at 264 eurocents a kg in late May.
In Brazil, prices remain significantly lower, standing at just 137 eurocents a kg, continuing to trail behind both EU and US markets.
Poultry production
Production in the EU increased marginally in May to around with some 830,000 tonnes, according to figures from the European Commission.
However, this was still back a touch on year earlier levels.
EU poultry meat production is still forecast to lift above 14m tonnes in 2025 for the first time, consumption is also expected to rise and is set to near 13m tonnes.
The EU is already 108% self-sufficient for poultry meat and it exported 351,000 tonnes of poultry meat during the first two months of the year alone.
The UK is the largest export destination for EU poultry meat and imported just shy of 120,000 tonnes of poultry meat from the EU during January and February.
EU egg production
EU egg prices have eased back in recent weeks but remain almost 30% up on this time last year.
Eggs averaged 264 eurocents a kg at the end of May, down by 4.6% on the previous month.
Egg prices in the US have continued to drop back after a volatile year, but remain higher at the equivalent to 433 eurocents a kg.
EU placings of laying hens have continued to fall and stood at roughly 130,000 head in March.
The UK was also the EU’s largest export destination for eggs during the first two months of the year; 23,600 tonnes being imported from the EU.
The EU imported roughly 26,000 tonnes of eggs during this period, up by 60% on last year’s levels.
The UK also leads as the largest export destination for EU eggs, importing 23,600 tonnes in the first two months of 2025.
During the same period, the EU imported 26,000 tonnes of eggs—an increase of 60% compared to last year.