This year the union of poultry farmers has projected growth of 4% in the production of chicken meat compared to 2016.
The National Association of Poultry Farmers and Food Producers (ANAP) projected for this year a total production of 312 million pounds of chicken meat, slightly above the closing figure projected for 2016, of 300 million pounds.
The poultry industry in Nicaragua plans to initiate efforts to obtain certification so that its plants can start exporting chicken meat to the United States.
Since the certification process can take up to three years, the aim of the poultry industry is to start early in order to be ready to start exporting to the US market before the end of the period of tariff reduction set by the DR-CAFTA.
Nicaraguan poultry farmers estimate that 2015 will close with a total production of 290 million pounds of meat and 600 million eggs.
Poultry Industry figures show that in the last 15 years national production increased from 104 million pounds of chicken meat in 2000 to 277 million in 2014. The sector generates $400 million per year and accounts for 2.4% of GDP, according to Alfredo Velez, president of the National Association of Poultry Producers Food (Anapa).
Representatives from the poultry sector will meet on August 5th and 6th to discuss issues such as the elimination of chicken imports from the US.
This convention will be held at the Crowne Plaza Convention Center and the participation of over a hundred poultry entrepreneurs, representatives from universities and government authorities is expected. Among the topics to be discussed during the congress is the use of technologies, supplies and services globally applied to the domestic industry.
Cargill has started construction of a processing plant and refrigerated warehouses which in ten years could be producing 400,000 birds per day.
From a statement issued by Cargill Meats Central America:
Cargill de Nicaragua SA today announced a major new investment in Nicaragua to continue contributing to the development of this country and has as its aim to continue guaranteeing the supply of chicken, using international standards and standards of quality and safety, for all Nicaraguans.
In 2013 the consumption of chicken meat per capita increased to 42.5 pounds, due to the increased purchasing power of the population and price stability.
Alfredo Velez, corporate vice president of Cargill of Nicaragua, said that "this growth in consumption is offset by the average annual growth of 5% which has been recorded in recent years in the production of chicken meat..."
In order to comply with a condition imposed by Procompetencia for the purchase of Costa Rican Pipasa, Cargill is selling its Pollo Real brand at a base price of $580 thousand dollars.
Alfredo Velez, corporate vice president of Tip Top Industria, Cargill Meats Central America, told La Prensa that from today, 16 September 2011, an international tender will be opened, with a base price of $580 thousand, for the Pollo Real brand.
Nicaraguan businessmen refused to use a hundred thousand tons of fortified wheat that was donated by the Russian Government.
The donation from the Russian government aimed to lower the cost of bread, eggs and chicken.
With respect to this, Alfredo Velez, president of the National Association of Poultry Farmers (ANAP) argued, "Neither the baking industry nor the poultry industry will use it, because instead of lowering production costs, we urge would come."
In 2010 it exported 218 million pounds, 33 million more than in 2009.
Alfredo Velez, corporate vice president of Tip Top Industries, said the sector is expected to grow 10% this year.
He added, "Exports to Venezuela are in the process of closing since so far we have completed the technical analysis and logistics, once this agreement is complete, it will take three months to start shipments to that market because the chicken which goes to Venezuela will be an additional production above the local production."
By September they should be carrying out the first exports of chicken to Venezuela.
Nicaraguan business have been doing an analysis of their individual industrial capacity, to determine the volume that they will be sending to the South American country, said Alfredo Velez, President of Anapa.
The businessman also added that in light of the fact that the poultry sector in the country has been in decline since 2004 due to the reduce buying power of consumers, the industry now has the capacity to produce more and to export.