Haro on the competition! Ukrainian poultry is invading Europe… The cry of alarm was raised by the meat poultry inter-profession, Anvol. Especially since the volatile travelers invite themselves on French plates. “Imports of Ukrainian chicken in France soared by 122% over one year, in the first half of 2022”worries Gilles Huttepain, vice-president of Anvol and shareholder of the French leader in poultry, LDC.
The spat targets the Ukrainian poultry giant MHP. “Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the European Union has decided to abolish customs duties on Ukrainian chicken for one year. If the idea was to support the Ukrainian population, in fact, we are supporting the company MHP, listed on the London Stock Exchange and whose head office is in Cyprus”, denounces Mr. Huttepain. He estimates that the volumes imported into Europe could reach 130,000 tonnes this year, or even 180,000 tonnes, compared to 70,000 tonnes in 2021.
It is true that the bird flu has caused a breath of fresh air. Of the 20 million animals slaughtered in France during the last epizootic, 12 million were meat poultry. According to Anvol, production could drop by 10% in 2022. As a result, the consumption of chickens with the tricolor cockade continues to lose feathers. From 59% in 2020, its share rose to 55% in 2021, reaching 51% since the start of the year. For the benefit of poultry raised in Poland, Thailand, Brazil or Ukraine.
The thigh or the aiguillette
Not sure, however, that the customer knows exactly where the thigh or the aiguillette placed on his plate comes from. It is enough, in fact, that the piece is cut in Europe so that it can display the European stamp. Even if, for a few months, a decree obliges the restoration to indicate the origin of its chicken, the mention “EU” is not therefore enough to follow the route of the gallinaceous.
The price differential works in favor of imported chicken. The Ukrainian fillet is half the price of its standard French counterpart, and the gap widens further for a labeled or organic product. An argument that weighs in times of inflation. Especially since poultry is not immune to the upward price spiral. Cereal speculation has greatly increased production costs. Started in the summer of 2021, the movement grew with the war in Ukraine.
Over the months, manufacturers have negotiated step by step with distribution to pass on the additional costs to the consumer. “We have already increased 35% in two years”, emphasizes Mr. Huttepain. But the addition is likely to be even more painful in the coming weeks. “ We are facing the wall of energy. From the hatchery to the breeding, the bills explode. We are still asking for an increase of 5% to 7%”, says Mr. Huttepain. New cockfight in sight in the box of negotiations between the poultry sector and distribution.