# German poultry consumption and production trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-poultry-consumption-and-production-trends
> Updated: 2026-09-08T02:00:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

Poultry consumption in Germany is increasing, even as overall meat consumption has declined from 60 kilograms per person a decade ago to 54.9 kilograms. This trend is largely driven by chicken, which saw a 65 percent increase in consumption between 2010 and 2025, while turkey consumption fell by nearly 25 percent.

Factors contributing to the rise in poultry demand include its low cost, high protein content, convenience, and status as a leaner, healthier option. Additionally, its broad religious accessibility, such as Halal, supports its popularity. Between 2010 and 2025, total poultry consumption rose by 30 percent to nearly 1.9 million tons per year.

Despite a nearly 10 percent increase in domestic production since 2010, German output is failing to meet rising demand. In 2025, domestic production covered 91 percent of consumption, but this share is expected to decline in the coming years. Industry analysts from the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDG) and Roland Berger suggest that domestic capacity growth is being hindered by restrictive regulatory environments, including lengthy permit processes for new poultry houses and increasing environmental and animal welfare requirements. The ZDG projects an annual consumption growth rate of 3.4 percent through 2040, which would represent a 50 percent increase in total market volume.

## Claims

- Poultry consumption in Germany is expected to continue rising. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The market volume for poultry is projected to grow by 50 percent by 2040. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Chicken consumption increased by 65 percent between 2010 and 2025. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Turkey consumption decreased by nearly 25 percent between 2010 and 2025. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Domestic production covered 91 percent of German poultry consumption in 2025. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Restrictive regulations, including lengthy permit processes and animal welfare requirements, are slowing domestic production capacity growth. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Germany poultry consumption rises as domestic production lags

German poultry consumption is rising, driven by chicken, but domestic production struggles to keep pace with demand due to restrictive regulations and lengthy permit processes.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-poultry-consumption-rises-as-domestic-production-lags

### 2026-08-09: Germany sees rise in poultry consumption amid meat trends

Chicken and turkey consumption in Germany has reached record levels, with individuals consuming nearly 15kg annually due to low costs, high protein content, and convenience.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-sees-rise-in-poultry-consumption-amid-meat-trends

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Cite as: German poultry consumption and production trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-poultry-consumption-and-production-trends