Chicken wants to be the protagonist of Ecuadorian exports in 2024. These are the projections of the poultry industry, which opened deliveries of this product to the Bahamas for the first time in 2023, and will end the year with 680 tons exported to that market.

Frozen and chopped chicken meat was exported to that destination. It is the same one that is expected to be exported to other markets from next year, but the presentation will depend on customer demand, points out Diana Espín, executive director of the National Corporation of Poultry Breeders of Ecuador (Conave). New destinations in the focus of the industry are Peru, Tonga in Oceania, as well as Saint Lucia and Dominica in the Caribbean.

The process of reaching those destinations has already begun. Espín explains that health negotiations are underway with these countries and when there are requirements and approval for export, quantities can be determined. “We hope to be able to finalize these markets in a short period of time. We insist that state participation is essential with appropriate policies and negotiations.”

Peru, Oceania and other Caribbean markets, in Ecuador’s crosshairs to expand its chicken meat exports

This new front in foreign trade for the country is driven by the self-sustainability that the nation’s chicken industry enjoys. According to Espín, the sector has the capacity to continue increasing its production, as consumption by the Ecuadorian population and demand from foreign markets increase. “This means we have the capacity to supply any export on schedule.” He adds that the production of chicken meat will reach 550,000 tons by 2023.

The exact percentage of production growth for 2024 has not been estimated, but the poultry sector grows by an average of 5% annually, but in 2023 it grew by 10% compared to 2022.

Espín explains that the export volume increases depending on the negotiations between the export company, in this case Avícola San Isidro (Avisid) and clients abroad. However, he reiterates that it is important for poultry producers to have the support of the Government in the policy of competitiveness in order to improve their prices and thereby increase the amount of chicken that is exported. “State actions both in terms of competitiveness and in strengthening the health status of the country are essential for increasing exports.”

Consumption of pork displaces beef from second place in the preferences of Ecuadorians

As for new investments, he assures that the poultry industry continuously invests in the optimization of its processes due to the high competitiveness of this industry. “This means that every year new farms are installed, and also slaughterhouses with the most modern technology.”

The union is also working on other companies offering on international markets to join Avisid.

Chicken meat is the most consumed in Ecuador

The international vision of the industry goes hand in hand with the demand of the local market. Chicken meat is the most consumed in Ecuador, according to CEO Conave, the current per capita consumption is 30 kilograms. The second highest per capita consumption in the country is pork, which amounted to 11.44 kg in 2022 and thus exceeded beef consumption by more than 3 kg until March last year, which officially amounted to 8 kg.

And for these Christmas and New Year days, the consumption of chicken and pork increases. However, unlike turkey meat, which is mostly consumed in December – with an estimated production of 2.1 million turkeys, which corresponds to 18,600 tons of meat, chicken meat is consumed throughout the year.

Chicken meat is the most consumed protein in Ecuador and it wants to continue to grow: each person consumes 28 kg per year

“In December, the consumption of all proteins generally increases, but preference is given to chicken meat due to its low price and variety of preparation methods. Furthermore, the demand for chicken meat, but also for proteins in general, is sensitive to the economic situation of Ecuadorian families”, analyzes the head of Conave.