Ducks: More and more "Made in Germany"

German production pushes back imports

Duck meat is becoming more and more popular in Germany, be it as a portion-sized cut for the pan at home, served ready-made in a Chinese restaurant or traditionally as a festive roast for the Christmas holidays. In the period from 1993 to 2003, consumption in Germany rose by 67.100 percent from 22 tons back then to 81.900 tons.

In the current year, the supply of ducks on the German market is unlikely to increase any further, but it should be as high as in 2003. This means that ready-to-roast frozen ducks, which are also in greater demand in private households towards the end of the year, will again be available quite cheaply . The first price observations by the ZMP at the shop level point in this direction: According to this, the retail trade charged an average of 2,57 euros for a kilogram of frozen duck in October, compared to 2,65 euros in the same period last year. On average for the months October to December 2003, retailers charged 2,59 euros per kilogram for ready-to-roast, frozen duck; in 2002 consumers had to pay an average of 2,84 euros.

Every year, German duck farmers have secured larger market shares in the duck business, which is good all year round in this country. The level of self-sufficiency was only 1993 percent in 48,4, but by 2003 it had risen to 60,6 percent. The expansion of fattening capacities led to a record supply of German production last year. It amounted to 49.700 (previous year: 45.700) tonnes. Increasing self-sufficiency has significantly reduced the supply of imports. In 2003 it fell to a below-average level of just 41.500 tonnes, a quantity this small has not been seen since 1994.

In contrast to the domestic product, the foreign supply of ducks is concentrated very clearly on the seasonal months of October to December of each year; in 2003, around 40 percent of the import supply was attributable to this time of year. Last year, the main supplier of whole animals, halves and quarters was Hungary, followed by France and the United Kingdom. When it comes to duck parts, such as duck breast or duck legs, the French are the most important suppliers on the German market.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]