Despite the ups and downs of poultry production in Latin America, poultry proteins – both chicken and eggs – are the animal proteins most consumed in the vast majority of the region. According to my research, the regional average annual chicken consumption in 2023 was 35.01 kg per person. This figure represents a 3.99% increase over 2022. As for eggs, the 2023 regional annual average is 234 eggs per person. That is four more eggs than 2022 or a 1.67% increase year-over-year.
There are several countries that are above that average. For example, Panama, although a small population and poultry industry, has the outstanding record of 54 kg per person a year; then comes Peru with 52.35 kg per person and Argentina with 49.30 kg per person. The latter is outstanding, considering the old tradition of eating beef that Argentinians have. Bolivia and the Dominican Republic are both 48 kg per person. The three largest poultry industries – Brazil, Colombia and Mexico – have a consumption of 45.10 kg, 35.80 kg and 34.78 kg per person, respectively. Worth highlighting is that a good quarter of Mexico’s consumption comes from imports, so the opportunity for growth is there.
The lowest consumers are Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela, with 22.72 kg, 21.5 kg and 17.14 kg. Data from Nicaragua is from 2021, since the poultry producers association was banned. I must highlight Venezuela; it has the lowest per capita consumption in the region, but listen to me, I am sure it will surprise us soon with better numbers.
In egg consumption, Mexico is still on top, with 392 eggs per person but zero growth. Evidently, it is hard increasing consumption at these very high levels. But other countries are fighting in this “race.” Argentina, once again one of the top consumers, has a consumption of 336 eggs per person, with a 4.35% increase over 2022. Colombia reported 323 eggs per person, a 2.54% increase over 2023.
The other countries that are above average in egg consumption are Uruguay (296 eggs), Guatemala (281 eggs), Dominican Republic (280 eggs), Brazil (242 eggs) and Costa Rica (240 eggs). From these, we must highlight the potential Brazil has, with such a large population. This country will soon be another of the surprises.
The countries with the lowest numbers are Paraguay (160 eggs), Venezuela (118 eggs) and Nicaragua (94 eggs).
It would be nice to compare these numbers with other parts of the world. But one thing is for sure – Latin America keeps on growing in poultry.
What do you think?
