Thanksgiving is that most American of holidays, when family and friends gather to indulge in a repast of mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and of course turkey. Even though we associate turkey with America, we don’t export the most fresh/chilled turkeys. That distinction belongs to Poland.
In 2017, Poland exported $353.9 million, or 26.6% of global fresh and chilled turkey exports. Germany was second with $244.5 million in turkey exports, 18.4%, and the United States was third with $187.8 million or 14.1%.
Turkey production is growing in Poland as the consumption of pig declines, with producers visiting farms in the Midwest to learn about raising and processing turkeys for export to other European countries and the Russian market.
Globally, about $1.3 billion of fresh or chilled turkey meat was exported in 2017, a decline of 13.1% from 2013. Croatia, 15th on the list, was the fastest-growing supplier of fresh or chilled turkey meat, with an increase of 79.6%. The United Kingdom posted the most rapid decline among the top 15 turkey suppliers, falling 73.1%.
In the smaller category of frozen turkey exports, the United States tops all nations with $229.5 million in exports, or 23.9%. Brazil is second with $140.7 million, or 14.7%. The country of Turkey was 15th on the list, exporting $10.5 million of frozen turkey meat. Exports of frozen turkeys have fallen 23.7% since 2013.
| Rank | Country/territory | Turkey exports | % global chilled turkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| .. | Total Worldwide | $1.3 billion | .. |
| 15 | Croatia: | $5.3 million | 0.40% |
| 14 | Denmark: | $7.7 million | 0.60% |
| 13 | Canada: | $7.9 million | 0.60% |
| 12 | Netherlands: | $9.7 million | 0.70% |
| 11 | Belgium: | $11.5 million | 0.90% |
| 10 | United Kingdon | $17.4 million | 1.30% |
| 9 | Ireland: | $18.9 million | 1.40% |
| 8 | Austria: | $50.8 million | 3.80% |
| 7 | Spain: | $60 million | 4.50% |
| 6 | Hungary: | $89.4 million | 6.70% |
| 5 | France: | $104.4 million | 7.80% |
| 4 | Italy: | $149.4 million | 11.20% |
| 3 | United States | $187.8 million | 14.10% |
| 2 | Germany: | $244.5 million | 18.40% |
| 1 | Poland: | $353.9 million | 26.60% |
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