Poultry production expected to rise in Poland despite bird flu concerns

Currently, some Polish farms are considering expanding production, taking advantage of favorable market dynamics, as the selling price reached PLN 5.71 (usd 1.31 ) per kg in February 2023. In 2017-2022 The ministry estimates that February fluctuated between PLN 3.18–4.57 ($0.73–$1.05) per kg.

Poland exports poultry MEAT mainly to other member states of the European Union. As a result, the country's ongoing avian influenza epidemic has so far not had a tangible impact on sales to foreign buyers as exports continue from outbreak-free areas, the ministry said.

“In the EU , Poland is likely to remain the leader in the EXPORT of poultry meat to third countries in 2023,” suggested Dr. Dorota Pasinska, researcher at the Institute for Agricultural and Food Economics, acknowledging, however, that avian influenza is nevertheless will remain a “significant risk factor” for the sector.

According to Pasińska, poultry meat consumption in Poland is likely to remain at a relatively high level, at least not lower than in 2022. She added that sales in the domestic market are largely supported by a significant number of refugees from Ukraine.

Fewer bird flu outbreaks

Since the beginning of the year, Poland has registered 56 outbreaks of bird flu in poultry farms and 35 outbreaks among wild birds, the Main Veterinary Inspectorate calculated, adding that March is usually the month when spring migrations of wild birds occur, so the period is associated with a high risk of bird flu outbreaks.

“The risk of avian influenza this season is still high, despite the fact that in recent weeks there have been fewer outbreaks of the disease compared to the beginning of the year. The bird flu virus is present in the external environment, as evidenced by registered outbreaks among wild birds," the veterinary inspection said.

In addition, the inspectorate stressed that it did not have information confirming that the strain of bird flu currently spreading in Poland poses a direct threat to humans. According to Polish scientists, "so far, avian influenza viruses isolated in the country have not shown zoonotic potential."