Chicken breast and fillet prices across Europe declined in January following the seasonal demand peak during Christmas and New Year celebrations. The decrease follows a pattern of declining prices that began in the second half of 2025, driven initially by the lifting of bans on Brazilian poultry exports.

Thailand’s fresh chicken breast prices decreased 9.0% to €1,796/mt in the week ending January 23, while Brazilian frozen chicken breast prices declined 1.4% to €1,444/mt during the same period. The price movements reflect the post-holiday reduction in European consumption of premium cuts.

Wing prices remained relatively stable during this period. Thailand’s fresh chicken wings decreased only 0.8% to €2,191/mt, while Brazilian frozen wings declined 0.7% to €1,641/mt. The Asian market’s stronger year-round consumption of wings helped maintain price levels for this cut.

European production continues to face challenges from avian flu outbreaks in Poland, though Spain reported only two ongoing outbreaks according to WOAH data. Polish supply constraints have kept available volumes tight despite the broader price decline.

The Mercosur trade agreement signed on January 17 adds a 180,000-metric-tonne duty-free import quota for chicken meat, phased in at 30,000 tonnes annually. The deal’s inclusion of EU regionalization rules for avian flu means Brazil faces reduced risk of country-wide export bans, as the EU can now zone off specific outbreak areas.

In Thailand, feed costs remain favorable as soybean meal prices from Brazil match January 2024 levels, while US wheat prices sit well below 2023-2024 levels. Thailand’s shift toward US corn imports under the new Clean Air Act positions Thai producers to meet EU and Japanese sustainability standards while potentially reducing feed costs.

For the short term, European fillet prices are expected to continue declining as consumption remains subdued. Wing prices show more potential for increases as Chinese New Year approaches in February, with Brazil likely to see stronger effects given its larger share of Chinese imports.


This article is part of a more comprehensive market analysis on the poultry market. For the full analysis, visit: https://app.vespertool.com/market-analysis/2625