Chicken meat and offal market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chicken meat and offal in Latin America and the Caribbean rose from 23 655 тыс. т in 2018 to 24 063 тыс. т in 2019, then stabilized near 24 061 тыс. т in 2020. COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions during the pandemic shifted consumption habits, increasing demand for frozen poultry due to its longer shelf life and storage convenience, which helped maintain overall market volume despite distribution disruptions.

Post-pandemic effects continued into 2021, with volume edging up to 24 067 тыс. т as consumers showed a sustained preference for fresh and frozen processed meat for its nutritional benefits and storage advantages. A more pronounced expansion to 24 627 тыс. т occurred in 2022, driven by Brazil's growing frozen chicken exports—reflecting increased production capacity—alongside evolving consumer trends favoring chicken as an affordable and sustainable protein source.

Market growth continued in 2023, reaching 24 852 тыс. т, supported by underlying trends such as rising disposable income in key economies like Brazil and Argentina, which boosted demand for chilled meat, and ongoing investments in cold chain infrastructure aimed at improving supply chain efficiency.

Production chicken meat and offal in Latin America and the Caribbean

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

Latin America and the Caribbean have seen chicken meat and offal production increase for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 26 986 thousand tons, marking a 0.6% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, chicken meat and offal production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 39 099 million US dollars, down 16.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 46 822 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of chicken meat and offal from Latin America and the Caribbean rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments reached 4 182 thousand tons, up 2.6% from the previous year. The lowest point was in 2018 at 3 776 thousand tons, with an 11.1% decline that year. The largest increase happened in 2019, when exports grew by 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China, Saudi Arabia, and Japan were significant but not dominant buyers of chicken meat and offal from Latin America and the Caribbean. China accounted for 14.6% of exports in volume, Saudi Arabia for 11.9%, and Japan for 9.7%. Together, these three countries made up 36.2% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, chicken meat and offal exports from Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 6 059 million US dollars, a 14.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 13.3%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 119 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of chicken meat and offal from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. China represented 18.3% of export value, Saudi Arabia 12.4%, and Japan 11.6%. Combined, these three destinations accounted for 42.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports chicken meat and offal to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imports of chicken meat and offal into Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 1 257 thousand tons, showing a controlled decline of 5.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual rate of -1.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 327 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States was the primary source for chicken meat and offal imports into Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 71.2% of total imports in volume. The remaining imports were distributed among a wide range of smaller countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of chicken meat and offal imports into Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 1 857 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate decrease of 5.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 3.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -1.2%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 1 968 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest annual increase of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the leading supplier of chicken meat and offal to Latin America and the Caribbean, holding 70.6% of total import value. The rest of the imports were spread across numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020