UK chicken imports have surged to £1.78bn, more than double the £823.7mn imported five years ago, as domestic production struggles to meet growing consumer demand. The poultry industry faces a 4.5-5% annual increase in demand that outstrips capacity, forcing reliance on imports from Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Brazil and Thailand where welfare regulations differ from UK standards.

Domestic expansion faces significant hurdles with approximately 100 planning applications for poultry farms currently pending. Richard Griffiths of the British Poultry Council criticized blocked investments worth hundreds of millions. Voluntary welfare initiatives, including reducing stocking densities from 38kg/sq m to 30kg/sq m, have reduced production by nearly 20%, further straining supply capacity.

The industry tensions highlight competing priorities. Major retailers like M&S and Waitrose endorse the Better Chicken Commitment requiring higher welfare standards, yet restaurant groups including KFC and Nando's withdrew citing insufficient supply. This creates market uncertainty for suppliers caught between regulatory requirements and operational constraints, with no immediate resolution in sight.