In Saint-Aubin (FR), 30 million chickens are expected to be killed each year in the future in the new slaughterhouse that Micarna, a subsidiary of Migros, wants to build. However, the project has encountered considerable opposition from residents and especially environmental activists, led by Greenpeace. The organization demands a reduction in the meat consumption of these poultry, considered too high, recalls the “NZZ am Sonntag”. Chicken has indeed been booming for twenty years.
On the Swiss market, there are therefore fears of a shortage of chicken supplies. “Demand is growing faster than we can build new chicken coops,” notes Adrian Waldvogel, president of the Swiss Association of Poultry Producers (ASPV) and chicken breeder. In addition, customers mainly demand Swiss poultry – even canteens which until now relied on imported frozen meat.
At Bell, a spokesperson also notes that the demand for Swiss chicken is higher than the supply. The group is therefore actively looking for farmers to fatten these poultry. It is in particular the consumption habits of generation Z, those aged 15 to 30, which could cause the shortage of Swiss chicken, notes the Zurich newspaper which cites the example of McDonald’s: its offer of chicken-based dishes, previously limited to burgers and nuggets, now offers a choice of nine different burgers and seasonal variations.
“The offer has been greatly developed in recent years, due to these young guests, but not only,” retorts McDonald’s Switzerland. The fast food chain sources its supplies from the Ospelt company in Sargans (SG). However, the supply of Swiss chicken breasts is too low there. Half is therefore imported from Germany, France, and Hungary.
Chicken healthier and more sustainable than beef
The younger generation especially likes to eat chicken because of its reputation for being healthier and more sustainable than pork and beef, notes the “NZZ am Sonntag”. What the Swiss Nutrition Society confirms: in mid-September, during its presentation of the new Swiss food pyramid, one of the most striking changes was the replacement of the beef schnitzel symbol with a chicken breast .
