Eastern Europe is poised for significant growth in chicken production in 2025, according to a recent USDA Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report. This trend is being driven by robust consumer demand, strategic investments, and modernized production techniques across the region.

Romania: Steady Growth Driven by Low Feed Prices

Romania's chicken meat industry is forecast to grow by 3.2% in 2024 and 2.7% in 2025. The steady expansion is fueled by strong domestic demand and the benefit of low feed prices, positioning the country as a key contributor to the region’s overall poultry output.

Croatia: Major Investments from Ukrainian Companies

In Croatia, significant investments are set to transform the poultry landscape:

• MHP, a Ukrainian company, plans to build three state-of-the-art chicken farms with an annual capacity of 6 million birds by 2027.

• Petrinja Chicken Company (PCC) has announced a 500-million-euro investment aimed at producing 150,000 metric tons of chicken meat annually by 2026. These fully vertically integrated farms are expected to allocate up to 90% of their production for export to other EU countries and Asia.

Poland: Modernization and Technological Advancements

Poland, a major player in Eastern European agriculture, is ramping up its poultry production through modernization initiatives and technological upgrades. Enhanced production techniques are helping Polish producers meet rising domestic demand while boosting export capabilities, further solidifying the region’s competitive edge in the global poultry market.

Hungary and Bulgaria: Emerging Growth Leaders

In Hungary, recent investments in poultry infrastructure combined with supportive government policies are driving improvements in production efficiency and output. Similarly, Bulgaria’s poultry sector is gradually expanding as local producers modernize their facilities to better serve both the domestic market and international export channels.

A Region on the Rise

These developments underscore a broader trend across Eastern Europe, where increased investments, innovative production methods, and favorable market conditions are converging to elevate the poultry industry. As countries like Romania, Croatia, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria continue to modernize their poultry sectors, the region is set to become a major supplier in the global chicken market.