12.07.2014

Annual Review & Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2013/2014

Poultry meat has long been seen as a value for money food and this has underscored an increase in demand, particularly in recent years. However, the poultry sector continued to face considerable challenges during 2013. The price of compound feed and cereals stabilised during 2013, albeit at higher levels than in previous years, and this together with energy costs and significant pressure from imports have presented difficulties for producers.
In 2013 the output value of the poultry sector was €145.5 million, down 8% on 2012.
While input prices reduced somewhat, producer and wholesale prices in the sector increased marginally throughout 2013. Poultry is normally reared under contract to processors, for a pre-agreed price, and therefore poultry producers are not subject to the same price fluctuations as other farmers. EU broiler prices declined slightly during 2013 but there was a small recovery towards the end of the year.
Slaughtering of poultry amounted to 77.45 million birds during 2013 – a decline of over 12% on 2012 levels. Chicken slaughter accounted for the vast majority of this fall with a reduction in slaughter capacity arising from the closure of two plants impacting on growers.
The value of Irish poultrymeat exports in 2013 is estimated to have reversed the trend evident in recent years and grown by around 4%. The value of exports increased to some €230 million with the drop in fresh and chilled shipments being offset by an increase in processed products.
The value of exports to both the UK and International markets were largely unchanged with levels to Continental Europe increasing.
Irish production is forecast to remain stable during 2014 as EU and international production is estimated to increase marginally. However, as with pigmeat the impact of cereal price changes will influence output decisions by producers as the year progresses.