Broiler consumption is increasing.
The newest arrival in the stores is a series called Wingfest, which was made in collaboration with the chicken restaurant Pretty Boy.
Chicken dishes are eaten more than ever before. About 28.3 kilograms of poultry meat was eaten in Finland last year per person. The amount has more than doubled since 2000, when consumption was 13.3 kg.
In the late 1960s, grilled chicken arrived in Finland and was presented at agricultural fairs as an American delicacy.
For a long time, only frozen broilers were available in Finland, but in the 1980s the selection expanded and the consumption of frozen broilers is declining.
At the end of the 1990s, there was an explosion when you could also buy thigh and breast cuts from the store. In the 21st century, the selection has only grown in raw products rather than processed products. In the 2020s, chicken restaurants have taken over the industry.
HKScan’s director of research and responsibility in Finland Mikko Järvinen says that from the meat barometer published since the 1970s, you can see that in the 1970s, chicken entered the competition for the most popular meat.
The wing restaurants were the first chicken restaurants in Finland. SILVA VALLEY
– Poultry has risen from “nowhere” to the position of the most popular meat. Now it is on the same level as pork.
– Finland is a nation of sausages. This is a steep climb for a chicken, Järvinen states.
And continues that there are no signs of coagulation when consuming broiler. It grows in many product areas: cold meats, sausages, prepared foods, strips, grilling, wings.
Järvinen thinks that the growth is due to several different reasons. First of all, chicken and broiler are suitable for many different dishes and it is offered in many different forms (e.g. strips, breast fillets, steaks, wings, minced meat, whole broilers). In addition, there are several package sizes.
Broiler consumption has grown wildly in 20 years. In the picture, roast chicken cutlets. Eeva Paljakka
Broiler is relatively inexpensive and can be seasoned in many ways.
According to research conducted by Kantar, Finns consider a good price-quality ratio and delicious taste to be the most important when choosing food. They also want to be affordable, nutritious and maintain health. The purchase decision is also influenced by the appropriate package size.
First came premium burgers, then premium pizzas. Chicken restaurants and completely new, premium chicken dishes are on the rise both in the world and in Finland.
Among other things, the huge Wing Fest events in America and Great Britain served as inspirations for the new chicken boom, i.e. chicken wing festivals, where the best chicken dishes and chicken delicacies are on display.