Poultry Farming in the UK
It’s no secret that the UK poultry industry plays a huge part in feeding our nation.
Poultry counts for nearly half the meat eaten in the UK – with the average Brit consuming over 26kg each year (according to the British Poultry Council).
Additionally, more than one billion birds are farmed in the UK each year, including chickens, geese, turkeys and ducks. This contributes more than £4.6 billion to the UK economy annually, according to the NFU. However, this farming couldn’t be carried out without the help of over 100,000 farmers who are supported by the industry every year.
Standards
The egg sector will see a major shift in welfare standards this year. Major retailers such as Lidl, Asda and Aldi are listening to consumer concerns and phasing out the sale of eggs from caged hens. Lidl will be investing £1 billion to support this transition.
As the industry navigates this transition, the poultry numbers are expected to increase. “The British Egg Industry Council predicts that the national flock size will double to 5.5 million, with a significant portion of this growth occurring within organic systems,” according to poultry expert David Corredor.
On another positive note, national poultry standards are expected to be upheld for the foreseeable future, as the industry was excluded from the US-UK trade deal this year.
BPC Chief Executive, Richard Griffiths, called the move “a clear signal that Government backs our standards and the values that underpin them.”
Mr Griffiths said: “We are proud of how we produce poultry in this country.
“If we want to make trade work with other partners too, including the EU, then we must stand by the values that built trust in the first place.”
Statistics
The English poultry flock decreased for a third year in 2024, according to the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs. The number of birds fell to 128.6 million, a decrease from the previous year of 1.5%.
Table chickens, which still make up 70% of the total UK poultry numbers, also fell in numbers last year. The broiler flock numbers fell to just under 88 million, which is a decrease of 3.5% in 2023.
On the contrary, the number of turkeys in England increased in 2024, rising by 29%. Geese and ducks also rose, increasing by 13%, however, they’re still at their second-lowest level in the last 10 years.
Keeping on the brighter side, the number of newly hatched chicks was up last year. Broiler chick placings in 2024 were up on the previous year with a 2.4% increase.
To ensure placings remain up this year, farmers must actively work to control the temperature, air quality, humidity and light in their chick house. Farmers may also want to ensure their chick paper is effectively attracting chicks to the feed.
Layer chick placings similarly increased by 2.5% last year. The numbers were up to just over 38.1 million; however, this is still 5.9% lower than the high in 2020, which saw numbers at over 40.5 million.
As stated before, the number of birds in England’s poultry industry decreased last year. However, this doesn’t mean that less were farmed for meat. In fact, the total number of birds farmed specifically for meat increased last year by 2.9%. If we were to look over the ten years, in 2024, 23% more poultry products were produced for meat than in 2014.
The Take Home
So, what’s in stall this year for UK poultry farmers? In short, we can’t be certain, but we do know there are doubts in the industry.
A survey conducted by the NFU suggests farmers feel their future is uncertain without greater government support and supply chain reform. It found that ‘24% of egg and 15% of poultry meat farmers’ were unsure if they could still operate beyond November 2025 due to insufficient returns.
However, despite individual doubts, others argue that the future may be hopeful, as some farmers are facing an increasing demand for their products. Mr Corredor from aviNews.com states: “In the second quarter of 2024, egg production for human consumption increased by 6.4% compared to the same period in the previous year. Farmgate egg prices have risen, with an average price of 144 pence per dozen, reflecting the growing demand for eggs.”
Experts argue that farmers must survive by adapting to ongoing changes in the industry.
Mr Corredor argues: “The industry’s ability to adapt to challenges will be crucial in ensuring its sustainability and growth in the coming years.
“The future of the UK poultry sector is shaped by a combination of consumer preferences, regulatory changes, and environmental considerations.
“As the industry continues to evolve, producers must remain adaptable and innovative to meet these demands and ensure a sustainable future.”
