Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 18.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €11.3bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Organic poultry is a growth segment in the industry
- According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 5.4 million laying hens were kept organically in Germany in 2023. Compared to 2020, when the population was still at 4.45 million animals, this corresponds to an increase of around 22%. The number of organic laying hen farms has also grown, with around 5,400 specialised organic farms in 2023. At the same time, the average flock size per farm increased from 1,105 to 1,360 animals.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Demand for regional products is increasing as part of the animal welfare initiative
- In the wake of the animal welfare initiative, the demand for regionally produced poultry meat is increasing noticeably in Germany. Today, around 2,700 German chicken and turkey farms - which corresponds to around 80% of the stock - already fulfil the applicable animal welfare standards. In addition, 19 poultry slaughterhouses are certified according to these criteria. Nevertheless, the often long and stressful transport to the slaughterhouse continues to be criticised. At the same time, the number of small, regional slaughterhouses and home slaughterhouses is steadily decreasing, as stricter hygiene regulations are making their operation increasingly difficult.
Biggest companies in the Poultry Meat Processing in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
PHW-Gruppe | 1,330.1 | |
Union Familien und Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG | 915.8 | |
Franz-Josef Rothkötter GmbH & Co. KG | 837.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Chicken, Turkey and Goose, duck, guinea fowl. Chicken is the largest segment of the Poultry Meat Processing in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Chicken is increasingly in demand
- The product group includes whole chickens and chicken parts such as thighs, breasts and wings. The majority of the chicken meat is sold fresh or chilled to the markets. The remainder is sold frozen. Per capita consumption of chicken meat has risen steadily recently.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies active in this sector operate slaughterhouses in which poultry such as chickens, turkeys and ducks are slaughtered and trimmed. The industry participants produce fresh and frozen poultry meat. The activities of the industry participants also include the extraction of feathers and down and the rendering of poultry fat. The meat is sold in individual portions.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany include Chicken, Turkey and Goose, duck, guinea fowl.Companies
Companies covered in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany include PHW-Gruppe, Union Familien und Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG and Franz-Josef Rothkötter GmbH & Co. KG.Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany include broiler, vogelbalg and fitting seal.Industry Code
WZ 10.12 - Poultry Meat Processing in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Fewer and fewer poultry are being slaughtered in Germany. One reason for this is the extensive exports of ready-to-slaughter poultry to the Netherlands. The level of self-suf...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Chicken meat accounts for almost three quarters of the sector's turnover. The second most important product group is turkey meat. However, the sales share of turkey meat has ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Almost half of commercial poultry slaughtering takes place in Lower Saxony, which is also home to the headquarters of the PHW Group, the largest major player in the industry.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition in the poultry slaughter industry is moderate. Industry players compete on the basis of their pricing and the quality of their products. Animal welfare labels, or...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The PHW Group has the largest market share in the poultry slaughtering industry. It is active in the production and marketing of poultry specialities as well as in animal nut...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of PHW-Gruppe's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Union Familien und Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Franz-Josef Rothkötter GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for PHW-Gruppe, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Union Familien und Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Franz-Josef Rothkötter GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Animal Welfare Act is intended to oblige people to treat animals responsibly. It also stipulates that people who stun and slaughter poultry for killing must provide proof...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The industry's profit margin is very low. Supermarkets and discounters have great bargaining power in price negotiations and often dictate meat prices.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany in 2025?
The market size of the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany is €11.3bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany in 2025?
There are 112 businesses in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany?
The Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany?
The Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany is likely to be impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
Has the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 18.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany are PHW-Gruppe, Union Familien und Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG and Franz-Josef Rothkötter GmbH & Co. KG
What does the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany include?
Chicken and Turkey are part of the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany is PHW-Gruppe.
How competitive is the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Poultry Meat Processing industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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