02 October 2026
The Dutch poultry meat sector represents a major economic pillar, generating billions of euros and supporting substantial employment across the value chain, according to a factsheet published by Wageningen Social & Economic Research and the 2025 annual report of the industry umbrella organization Nepluvi.
The production pyramid begins with breeding and rearing, supported by highly specialized genetic selection lines. Approximately 60 rearing farms, with a total capacity of 2.7 million birds, raise parent stock for 17 weeks before the birds are transferred to approximately 160 parent-stock farms, which house 4.7 million breeders.
Hatching eggs produced by these flocks are delivered to 12 commercial hatcheries, which produce between 8 and 9 million day-old chicks each week. While a significant proportion of hatching eggs and day-old chicks is exported to neighboring countries such as Germany and Belgium, the majority supplies the domestic market.
At the grow-out stage, approximately 610 broiler farms operate with an aggregate capacity of 41 million broilers per production cycle. Conventional broilers reach their target slaughter weight within six to seven weeks. In contrast, slower-growing breeds certified under the Beter Leven (Better Life) animal-welfare label require approximately eight weeks, while organic broilers are raised for around ten weeks. Notably, welfare-certified and organic production now accounts for approximately 47% of the total Dutch broiler population.
The processing sector comprises 14 slaughterhouses, which produce more than 990,000 tonnes of poultry meat annually. Approximately 50% of domestic production is consumed within the Netherlands, with the fresh retail market consisting almost entirely of Beter Leven-certified chickens, while the remainder is supplied to the foodservice and further-processing sectors.
Cross-border trade is a major driver of the sector's economic footprint. Half of domestic production is exported, predominantly to neighboring markets. Germany is the primary export destination, accounting for 25% of Dutch poultry meat export value, followed by the United Kingdom (20%), France and Belgium (11% each), and Spain (4%).
According to Nepluvi's 2025 figures, the Netherlands exported nearly 1.6 million tonnes of poultry meat, valued at €4.76 billion, while importing 1.15 million tonnes, valued at €3.23 billion, from key EU and third-country partners, including Germany, Poland, Belgium, Brazil, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and China. This resulted in a positive net trade balance of more than €1.5 billion.
