MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina poised to become a poultry power over the coming years

Broiler meat production is expected to reach 1.7 million tons in 2011

The Dutch-based agro-investment bank Rabobank believes that Argentina is primed for significant and very competitive growth, where poultry production is concerned over the coming years.

A spokesperson for the bank has confirmed that the poultry industry in Argentina has shown impressive growth rates in the last decade, having transformed itself through concerted strategic planning and investments.

He added: “The Argentine poultry industry has access to feed at highly competitive prices because of the country’s natural advantages as a producer of corn and soybeans and favourable government policies.

“Argentina only recently entered the world poultry market but its low cost structure and favourable sanitary status make it a key player to meet growing global demand, providing it continues to invest in expansion.

“Although Argentina’s poultry industry is relatively concentrated, opportunities remain for consolidation by large domestic companies or foreign players entering the market.”

Argentina has presently just below 40 poultry companies scattered over the country. They are at the forefront of a significant growth profile recorded over the last few years. In 2003, Argentine broiler meat production was 800.000 tons and for 2011 it is estimated to reach 1.7 million tons.

Likewise, exports have increased accordingly during this period, growing from a mere 43.000 tons to an estimated 320.000 tons.

Now among the world’s leading poultry producing countries Argentina is to the fore in competitive terms as the country can rely on an abundance of grains, good climate, soil plus competitive and qualified labour.

Precisely this week President Cristina Fernandez on the campaign trail for Sunday’s election opened a 35 million pesos (approx 8 million dollars) incubating plant for one of the country’s leading producer and exporter of broilers. The investment was partially financed by a government promotion bank.

Formerly known as a beef country, Argentina expects the internal consumption of chicken meat to jump from 39 kg per head per year to 45 kg, in 2017. In 2003, it was just 21 kg.

Argentina exports 18% of its total broiler meat production to 60 countries and will be working hard to increase this share to 25% in the period running up to 2017. Venezuela is currently the most important destination, at 60.000 MT per year. All of this is bartered for oil. Chile comes second, with 30.000 MT annually.