Concurrentiekracht van de Nederlandse pluimveevleessector

The Dutch poultry meat sector is competitive within Europe thanks to lower production costs at farm level and the efficient chain organisation. The production of poultry meat from broilers in the Netherlands has been increasing steadily over recent years. The majority of the supply from Dutch slaughterhouses originates from Dutch broiler farms, but the proportion supplied from farms outside the Netherlands is increasing and amounted to 16% in 2011. More than half of Dutch poultrymeat is exported, with Germany, the United Kingdom and France forming the most important destinations. In these countries, the costs of keeping broilers for primary producers were higher than in the Netherlands in 2011. The production costs after slaughter in the Netherlands in 2011 were comparable to those in Germany, lower than those in France, the United Kingdom and Denmark, but higher than in Poland. Over the coming years, increasing competition is therefore expected from Poland. The Dutch product will have to distinguish itself within the market on the basis of more sustainable production with a higher level of animal welfare and food safety. In all European countries, primarily conventionally-reared broilers are kept on specialised farms. The production costs for the Netherlands are comparable with the neighbouring countries. Strengths for the Dutch poultry chain include the lower feed price and the good results within the primary sector and the efficient chain organisation of the slaughterhouses. Unfavourable aspects are the manure disposal costs and the high energy costs (energy taxes).