Brussels, 29 September 2026 — AVEC, the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU, concluded its 68th General Assembly, hosted by Unaitalia in Sorrento. Marking AVEC’s 60th anniversary, the conference, themed “Building the Future Through Innovation”, explored innovation across the poultry value chain, from artificial intelligence, genetics and animal health to market development and consumer engagement. It examined how these advances can strengthen European production, resilience and food security, and the policy and investment conditions needed to put them into practice.
Food security is security
Europe’s demand for poultry is growing. AVEC’s 2026 Annual Report shows that EU consumption increased by 10.4% between 2020 and 2025, while production grew by 5.6%. Imports rose by 27.2% over the same period.
That demand will continue growing. According to Nan Dirk Mulder of Rabobank, Europe could require significantly more poultry production by 2032. “In the next six or seven years, we will need around 2.2 million tonnes more poultry in the EU,” he said. “The big question is: where will we produce it, and will we have the permission and investment capacity to do so?”
For AVEC President Gert Jan Oplaat, Europe must treat its capacity to produce food as a strategic priority. “Food is not simply a commodity. Food is infrastructure,” Oplaat said. “Defence security matters. Energy security matters. Economic security matters. But none of them replaces food security.”
The tanker is turning. The real world cannot wait
AVEC welcomes the direction set by the European Commission’s EU Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan. After years of mounting regulation and restrictions, European policy is beginning to recognise livestock’s contribution to competitiveness, resilience and food security.
“Turning a tanker is difficult. It takes time, energy and people willing to stand on the bridge and change course,” Oplaat said. “Commissioner Hansen and others have started changing the conversation around livestock, competitiveness and food security. That matters.”
But the realities outside Brussels remain difficult. Poultry businesses face lengthy permitting procedures, increasing costs and a competitiveness gap with third country producers, while new requirements can make investment and modernisation harder. AVEC is calling on policymakers to test new rules against their impact on food affordability, production and investment.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen shared the ambition for a stronger European sector.
“I want this sector to be even more competitive than it currently is. That it doesn’t have to fear competition from third countries. That we are able to expand production to meet customer demands. And that this is a profitable business for all actors along the value chain,” Hansen said.
Reciprocity must be enforced
European producers operate under some of the world’s highest requirements for food safety, animal health, welfare and environmental protection. AVEC supports these standards, but rules that increase the cost of European production must not widen the gap with imports produced under different conditions.
“I believe that competing fairly also means a level playing field,” Hansen said. “In our trade agreements, we will keep strong protection for our products. Reciprocity is key.”
For AVEC, reciprocity requires verification and consequences. Imports must meet requirements identical to those applied to European producers, supported by effective audits and controls.
“The direction is beginning to change, and we welcome that,” Oplaat concluded. “Now Brussels must look beyond the bubble and act on the realities facing farmers and businesses. Stop adding barriers, allow the sector to invest and modernise, and defend European production through real reciprocity.”
Published in conjunction with the General Assembly, AVEC’s 2026 Annual Report provides detailed data on European poultry production, consumption and trade.
Source: AVEC press release
