UK poultry consumption continued to rise in 2025, surpassing 2.5 million tonnes for the first time despite ongoing pressure on domestic production.
Defra figures show total poultry supply increased by 3.6% year-on-year, adding around 89,000 tonnes to reach 2.55 million tonnes (carcase weight equivalent). This growth comes against a challenging backdrop, including reduced stocking densities and continued disruption from avian influenza.
Domestic output rose by 1.5% (around 30,000 tonnes) to 2.06 million tonnes. Imports surged by 8.6%, adding over 55,000 tonnes and pushing total volumes to approximately 700,000 tonnes. Although UK production showed some resilience in the final quarter, rising 3% to 511,000 tonnes, an increasing share of demand is now being met from overseas.
Poultry continues to outperform other proteins by a significant margin. Combined consumption of beef, lamb and pork fell by 39,000 tonnes in 2025, while overall meat consumption still increased. Over the past five years, total UK meat consumption has grown by 12%, with poultry accounting for much of that rise. Poultry consumption alone has increased by 28% since 2020, underlining its position as the UK’s protein of choice.
This growing reliance on imports highlights a structural imbalance in the UK poultry sector. At the same time, increased checks, certification requirements, and delays in EU trade continue to add cost and complexity to supply chains.
A comprehensive SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement between the UK and EU would help reduce these barriers, improving product flow and supporting market stability. For a sector increasingly dependent on imports, this is becoming critical and could also help ease inflationary pressure on protein prices. Improved access to EU markets would also support UK exporters, creating a more balanced and efficient trading environment.
Poultry remains the UK’s fastest-growing protein, driven by affordability, versatility, and strong consumer demand. However, without meaningful support and investment, the gap between domestic supply and demand will continue to widen. Ensuring a stable, efficient supply chain is now critical to protecting the resilience and long-term competitiveness of the UK poultry market.
Source:
Poultry Network: UK poultry consumption tops 2.5mt, with imports outpacing domestic growth
