Friday 05 August 2011
Italy
Poultry and eggs
Italy is the sixth largest producer of poultry meat in the EU-27 (European Union-27). Its poultry production accounts for 10 per cent of total production in the EU-27. Ho
wever, poultry takes a back seat to beef and pork production and consumption preference. Most of Italy's poultry production is centred in the northern part of the country in the following provinces: Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardia and Piemonte. Poultry meat production is divided as follows: 64 per cent broiler, 23 per cent turkey and 13 per cent other species. Most of Italy's poultry industry is vertically integrated.
Broiler production
The production and consumption of broiler meat in Italy in 2011 is projected to increase about one per cent. Italian broiler meat production and exports exceeded that of other competing proteins due to its cost advantage making 2010 a very good year for industry. Production of broiler meat increased five per cent and exports 51 per cent in 2010 over 2009. Domestic demand for broiler meat also increased in 2010 due to lower prices.
Italy's
beef and pork industries either maintained or increased prices in 2010 in order to maintain their profit margins. Conversely, the broiler industry and retailers decreased meat prices in an effort to sway consumer demand towards broiler meat, which they successfully accomplished. However, this strategy almost cost producers as prices fell to a minimum of €0.80 per kilogram in light of high input costs. Producers continue to be cautious with the high feed costs.
In addition, broiler meat production in the EU-27 was also projected to increase slightly in 2011, due to rising domestic demand. However, the broiler industry's competitiveness, expected production increases and marginal profit margins could be adversely affected in the EU-27 by newly implemented animal welfare guidelines and high grain costs.
Source: newsroom - farmingnewsdaily.co.uk
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