The USDA forecasts a 1.5% growth in the EU's chicken meat production in 2021, reaching 12.55 million tons, after a fall in production in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the foodservice sector. The most significant declines were in Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands, due to factors such as falling demand from the UK and increased competition from Poland. However, countries like Italy and France were able to redirect production to the retail sector, leading to steady or slight increases in domestic production. The temporary closure of slaughter facilities and outbreaks of avian influenza also had minimal impact on EU chicken meat production in 2021, with the exception of Germany. Factors such as higher feed prices, stricter environmental regulations, and high labor costs may limit growth to below 1.5%. Chicken meat imports and exports both saw declines in 2020, with some losses being made up by increased imports from other countries.