Chicken meat and offal market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the chicken meat and offal market in Central America grew steadily from 4 989 thousand tonnes to 5 336 thousand tonnes. This expansion was partly fueled by consumer preferences in countries like Panama for high-quality domestic products at accessible prices, alongside the recognized nutritional benefits of chicken meat.

Growth accelerated in 2021, with market volume rising 9.9% to 5 866 thousand tonnes. In the following years, technological upgrades on farms and reduced bird mortality improved production efficiency. For instance, in Panama, bird mortality fell from 5% to 2%. Additionally, the tariff reduction under the Trade Promotion Agreement with the United States that began in 2022 opened the market to chicken meat imports, intensifying competitive pressure. The market continued to expand, reaching 6 232 thousand tonnes in 2023, when Panama's poultry production jumped 12.8% and per capita consumption increased, reflecting sustained demand.

Production chicken meat and offal in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Central America's chicken meat and offal production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 4,804 thousand tonnes, marking a slight 2.5% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, chicken meat and offal production in Central America declined in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 7,334 million US dollars, a 17.7% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 11.9%, averaging 3.8% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8,914 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Central America's chicken meat and offal exports increased in volume. In 2020, exports reached 5.4 thousand tonnes, a 28.3% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 4.2 thousand tonnes, when the largest decline of 24.3% was recorded.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong were consistently the main destinations for Central America's chicken meat and offal exports by volume. Colombia accounted for 3.8% of exports, Vietnam for 3.2%, and Hong Kong for 1.2%, together representing 8.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, Central America's chicken meat and offal exports increased in value. In 2020, exports were valued at 8.2 million US dollars, a 3.0% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 14.3%, averaging a decline of 5.0% per year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 8.0 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 15.8% occurred.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong led the structure of Central America's chicken meat and offal exports by value. Colombia represented 3.5% of exports, Vietnam 1.5%, and Hong Kong 0.6%, together accounting for 5.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020

Imports chicken meat and offal to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Central America's chicken meat and offal imports increased in volume for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 537.3 thousand tonnes, up 1.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.7%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 479.2 thousand tonnes, when the largest decline of 20.4% was recorded. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary source for Central America's chicken meat and offal imports by volume, accounting for 83.2% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of chicken meat and offal to Central America declined in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 865.6 million US dollars, a modest 4.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 13.1%, averaging a decline of 4.6% per year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical pattern of Central America's chicken meat and offal imports by value was dominated by the United States, which held an 83.8% share of total flows. Other partners accounted for relatively minor shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020