Strong growth in chickens

In 2003, however, slightly less turkey meat was produced

According to the now complete figures from the Federal Statistical Office, the total amount of poultry meat slaughtered last year rose by 8,5 percent to 927.840 tons. That was the highest production in Germany since reporting began.

Chicken production in particular increased significantly, by 17 percent to around 493.240 tons. Chickens accounted for a good 53 percent of the poultry produced in this country. The increase in the broiler sector was partly due to the fact that exports of ready-to-slaughter broilers to the Netherlands had at times completely collapsed in connection with the avian influenza and then did not return to the previous level.

The strong increase in duck production observed in the previous year continued in 2003; slaughter grew by 12,8 percent to almost 42.300 tons.

In contrast, the continuous increase in turkey production that had lasted for years came to a standstill in 2003. Nationwide, slaughtering even fell by 1,3 percent to 355.150 tons. With the production restrictions, the fatteners had reacted to the at times significantly declining revenues. Nevertheless, a good 38 percent of all poultry meat came from turkeys last year.

Poultry parts grown disproportionately

For years, a significant part of the poultry meat supply has been marketed in cut up form. In 2003, parts production grew disproportionately: German slaughterhouses sold around 62,5 percent of the chicken slaughtered in cut form, which was 4,5 percentage points more than in 2002. In terms of volume, this corresponded to an increase of 26,0 percent to 308.400 tons.

The majority of the turkey meat production is also sold in pieces; despite the slight decline in production overall, the supply of cut goods grew by twelve percent to a good 242.300 tons last year. This position thus achieved a share of 68,2 percent and thus eight percentage points more than in the previous year.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]