Belgian poultry association not happy with Dutch import of Ukrainian chicken

The Netherlands is by far the largest importer of chicken from Ukraine in the European Union (EU). This puts the poultry meat sector in the Netherlands and Belgium under heavy pressure. According to the Belgian National Poultry Association, the Netherlands imports as much poultry from Ukraine every month as the total Belgian production in a month.

This makes the Netherlands by far the largest importer of chicken from Ukraine, which is allowed to enter the EU tariff-free due to war conditions. Due to the low grain price, Ukrainian chicken can be produced cheaply. Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that chicken mainly went to countries outside the EU.

Of the 20,000 tons of Ukrainian chicken that comes to the EU every month, 60 percent goes to the Netherlands. According to the National Poultry Association, this amounts to 20 million meat chickens, which corresponds to the production of Belgium. This import mainly concerns chicken fillet, the most expensive part of the chicken, which makes the pressure even greater.

Market disruptive

Because the chicken is not produced according to EU standards, while the Netherlands and Europe turn a blind eye to this, there is hypocrisy, according to the National Poultry Association. This disrupts the market, while only one major company in Ukraine, MHP, benefits from the situation. According to the National Poultry Association, the measure does not support the Ukrainian population, which is the purpose of releasing tariffs.

Other organizations have also raised this situation with the EU, such as the Dutch Poultry Processing Industry. He has also raised the alarm with the Dutch government about this.