EU: Poland continues to lead in turkey production
Although turkey meat accounts for only 14% of total Polish poultry production, Poland has been the EU’s largest turkey meat producer since 2017. The Polish turkey industry is vertically integrated and is one of the most modern in the EU.
In the second quarter of 2020, following the Covid-19 outbreak, farmgate price for turkeys dropped by 17% compared to the same period in 2019, noted a USDA GAINS report. In August 2020, the average farmgate live-weight was 25% less than August 2019. However, turkey meat production through the second quarter of 2020 will reportedly remain high because many producers were obligated under contracts signed before the onset of the pandemic.
Total 2020 turkey meat production will increase by an estimated 1%, despite the downturn in production during the second half of the year, due to higher production during the first half of 2020. It is expected that Polish turkey meat processors will find it a challenge to increase profitability in the short term, especially following the strong uptick in Covid-19 cases since October 2020.
It is estimated that turkey meat consumption will remain flat in 2020, though stronger retail turkey meat sales will mostly compensate for lower HRI sales. Since April 2020, turkey meat retail prices have fallen and are more affordable for consumers. Last year, Poland exported 227,003 mt of turkey meat, valued at US$ 730 million. Major EU export markets included Germany, Spain and the UK, while major non-EU markets were China and Ukraine.
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