The country's chicken producers estimate that they will close 2020 with a 1.3% decrease in sales, a drop that would be explained by the drop in orders from hotels and restaurants, establishments that operate partially due to the low presence of tourists.
The spread of covid-19 caused considerable damage to the tourism and restaurant sector, since the country's air connection was interrupted and up to now few tourists remain there.
The diffusion of campaigns that promote the consumption of chicken meat and its low price are factors that have influenced the growth in per capita consumption of the product in the Guatemalan market by 60% between 2018 and 2019.
Data from the National Association of Poultry Farmers (Anavi) indicates that between 2018 and 2019, the average annual consumption of chicken meat for each Guatemalan increased by 25 pounds, from 41.45 pounds to 66.5 pounds.
In the local market, the demand for fried and roasted chicken is estimated at 640,000 parts per day and each consumer spends an average of $3.33 on each purchase.
Figures from the National Association of Poultry Farmers of Honduras (Anavih) detail that weekly consumption of cooked chicken amounts to about 4.4 million pieces and approximately 25% of total Honduran consumers buy this type of food.
Due to the fact that preference for "vegetable" or plant-based meat is growing quickly in major global markets, food industry business groups have begun to make investments to meet this novel and growing market niche.
Foods that were once considered the exclusive consumption of vegans or vegetarians are now becoming popular, and in the case of the United States, in supermarkets it is increasingly normal to see meat products made from plants.
Between 2017 and 2018, the number of hens and chickens in the country reported an 8% increase, which is explained by the variations registered in the provinces of Cocle and Panama.
The General Comptroller of the Republic presented the results of livestock production in the country during 2018. Data show that between 2017 and 2018 the number of hens and chickens increased by 1.97 million, from 25.44 million to 27.41 million.
In 2017 the contribution of the poultry sector to the Panamanian economy amounted to $373 million, which represents an increase of 26% compared to the figure registered in 2016.
According to data from the National Association of Poultry Farmers of Panama (Anavip), in relation to 2016, last year eggproduction grew by 8% and chicken meat by 4%, and the activity was concentrated mainly in the provinces of Western Panama, Veraguas, Coclé, Colón, Los Santos and Chiriqui.
Cargill has inaugurated a processing plant in Nicaragua that will have the capacity to sacrifice up to 14,000 birds per hour, and it required a $45 million investment.
The new plant, where cuts of whole chicken will be automated, will provide greater capacity for freezing and in line packaging.
Currently the poultry industry has about 5.5 million birds for commercial supply and 14 million broilers, and this year they project growth of 4%.
Regarding the data on the sector, Marco Antonio Baquedano, coordinator of the National Poultry Program at the National Service for Agrifood Health and Safety (SENASA), told Latribuna.hn that "...
The poultry producers' association estimates that production of chicken meat has grown by almost 40% in the last nine years, while annual per capita consumption went from 68 pounds in 2007 to 92 pounds at present.
The figures are estimates from the National Association of Poultry Farmers (Anavip), whose data indicates that in 2008 around 250 million pounds were produced, 100 million pounds less than current annual production.
Cargill is preparing to start-up in April this year a new chicken meat processing plant, located on the road to Masaya.
Although the plant will not operate at full capacity initially, it will have a total capacity to slaughter 13,500 birds per hour for two eight-hour shifts each day, six days per week.
In Costa Rica, producers of buffalo, rabbit and lamb meat sell their products through restaurants and some supermarkets, in response to growth in consumption which has been noted in recent years.
The sophistication of consumption, hand in hand with a greater diversification in the gastronomic supply at restaurants has been pushing up demand for nontraditional meats, such as rabbit, buffalo and lamb.
The Panamanian Aviculturists Association expects to close the year with a 5% growth, with around 4 million chicken units more than those produced in 2016.
Carlos Castroverde, president of the National Association of Poultry Farmers of Panama (Anavip), based his estimate on the general stability shown by the price of chicken in the local market. "... 'the price has remained stable in recent years compared to other products such as meat, a factor which is important in consumers decision to buy'."
From August 8 to 10, 2018, the Central American Poultry Congress will be held in San Pedro Sula, with the expected participation of around 2,500 producers from the region.
The event will be held at Expo Centro San Pedro Sula and is being organized by the National Association of Aviculturists of Honduras, as a member of the Federation of Aviculturists of Central America and the Caribbean (Fedavicac).
Annual per capita consumption of chicken meat in Central American countries increased from 19.8 kilos in 2008 to 25.9 kilos in 2016, and growth was driven mainly by Panama.
The upward trend in regional chicken meat consumption has been steady in recent years, growing from 814,000 tons in 2008 to 1.2 million tons in 2016.
español
1680