Pork or turkey? It is a mystery that has taken up residence in Giannella’s home since the beginning of December. Traditionally, turkey is chosen on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but in recent years, since the pandemic, it has been replaced with pork. “Last year we decided on pork and it didn’t go badly, and this year we have to go back to turkey,” he said while choosing which one to get at the supermarket last Saturday.

The poultry and pork industries have their own data on how business is going in December and which proteins are desirable for those dates. Diana Espín, executive director of the National Corporation of Poultry Growers of Ecuador (Conave), reveals that this month the production of 2.1 million turkeys is estimated, which corresponds to 18,600 tons of meat. “Of this quantity, most have been sold since the end of November.” It also indicates that production volumes in 2023 are slightly higher than in 2022.

Prices and many other options mark the supermarket’s strategy for Christmas baskets, which are already being taken over by hangers

Regarding the supply of turkeys at the national level, Espín confirms that the national industry meets all the demand in the country and that all the turkeys consumed to date in Ecuador are national, although the genetic material for the production of the birds is imported from Peru and the United States.

Meanwhile, the pork sector is estimated to sell around 25,000 tonnes of meat, including legs, ribs and chops. As for animals, about 210,000 pigs were slaughtered, according to data shared by Estefanía Loaiza, executive director of the Ecuadorian Pig Farmers Association (Aspe).

Loaiza also reveals that December pig marketing represents between 12% and 15% of total sales for the entire year.

Uncertainty costs increase the cost of pig production

A significant fact that Aspe’s executive director points out is the increase in costs in the production of that protein. Loiza explains that costs have risen, not because of raw materials, such as corn, which have retained their value, but because of the uncertainty that also affects this sector. “Other costs have increased, such as security personnel, tracking systems for transport vehicles, vaccines so that the product can be mobilized. Added to that were power outages because tanks with their own energy production had to be rented to maintain the cold chain in the slaughterhouses,” he laments.

From Conave, Espín indicates that the turkey market remains stable in the country.

Meanwhile, in different self-service chains, the offer of turkeys and pigs is varied. You can find whole turkeys, just the breast, with marinade included, and more options. Prices range from $37 to $65 or more, depending on brand and weight. Drumsticks and legs are the most sought after pigs, the price of which can range from 32 to 90 dollars, also depending on the brand and weight.

Corporación Fernández plans to sell 23,000 turkeys and 18,000 pigs this month, for which they are preparing in advance. “Turkeys start to be boxed in June, and pig production for the end of the year is being prepared since the last quarter,” says the company, adding that the sale of pigs in December represents 18% of total annual sales, but that of turkey sales represents 60% of sales achieved during the year. .

Pronaca has begun the orderly closure of its Indaves egg brand to focus on other higher value-added lines

Pronaca, for its part, one of the main suppliers of turkeys and pigs in the whole country, assures that for the season of December this year, it foresees a significant increase in the sales of its brand Mr. Pavo, but he also points out the increase in spending by Mr. Chancho brand at the moment. “Pork consumption is increasing. Every year we have sales growth of our brand Mr. Chancho, and this is due to the quality of the product and the wide range offered to the market, as well as the Christmas alternatives that the brand makes available to consumers.”

Pork meat is growing in consumption and is in second place right after chicken

This increase in pork consumption was visible at the beginning of the year: its per capita consumption in 2022 was 11.44 kg and exceeded beef consumption by more than 3 kg until last March, which officially stood at 8 kg, according to data from Coastal and Galapagos . Cattle breeders’ association. This puts pork in second place in terms of consumption after chicken, whose per capita consumption is 28 kg, while turkey is 0.7 kg, Conave says.

According to Aspe figures, 63% of this pork production comes from industrial farms, the sector generates sales of $600 million a year, representing 8% of agricultural gross domestic product (GDP). There are more than 163,000 pork producers in Ecuador, and 94% of them are small.

Returning to turkeys, how much does the December sale represent in the total annual sales, Pronaca points out that “the annual sales are still seasonal and without a doubt a significant percentage of the product is sold during December. Our brand has presentations of whole turkey, marinated ready-to-roast, breast, rolls and platters.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Chancha’s product sales are not seasonal. “We are a favorite brand all year round. More and more people include pork at Christmas time because of the quality of Mr. Chancho and its extensive portfolio, which also includes the brand’s seasonal (Christmas) products,” the company said.