Poultry meat and offal market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the poultry meat and offal market in Latin America and the Caribbean expanded, with volume rising from 50 584 thousand tonnes to 51 619 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by increased consumption of fresh and processed meat driven by cultural, economic, and logistical factors. Investments and coordinated industry efforts aimed at raising per capita consumption of fresh chicken, alongside a growing consumer shift toward frozen products due to their longer shelf life, contributed to the market's expansion. The processed meat segment continued to grow in refrigerated, frozen, and canned categories, further stabilizing the market.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly altered consumer behavior, boosting retail sales of frozen and chilled meats as perceptions of quality and convenience shifted. This change helped maintain market volume near 51 723 thousand tonnes despite a sharp drop in market value. In the following years, the industry adapted by adopting technologies like individual quick freezing (IQF) and automation in processed meat production to enhance supply chain resilience and product freshness. By 2022 and 2023, new product launches focusing on health and lean protein, coupled with expanding cold chain infrastructure and sustained demand for frozen and refrigerated poultry, drove market volume to reach 53 122 thousand tonnes.

Production poultry meat and offal in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Poultry meat and offal production in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 54 580 K t, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 3.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.0%.

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, poultry meat and offal production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 79 574 M $ US, marking a 16.6% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 9%, with an annualized rate of decline of 3.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 95 461 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.9%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of poultry meat and offal from Latin America and the Caribbean have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 248 K t, rising by 2.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 870 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of poultry meat and offal from Latin America and the Caribbean were widely distributed across partner countries. China accounted for 14.4% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia for 11.8%, and Japan for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 35.7% of total export flows.

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, poultry meat and offal exports from Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 6 193 M $ US, reflecting a significant contraction of 14.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.7%, with a CAGR of -4.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 279 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner portfolio for poultry meat and offal exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms was quite broad. China held 18.0% of exports in value, Saudi Arabia 12.2%, and Japan 11.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 41.5% 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 poultry meat and offal to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, poultry meat and offal imports into Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 1 391 K t, down by 5.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.7%, with a CAGR of -1.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 472 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 4.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated imports in kind, accounting for 72.2% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

After two years of growth, poultry meat and offal imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, import value stood at 2 246 M $ US, representing a moderate drop of 7.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.5%, with a CAGR of -1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 414 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 3.3%.

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 dominated the partner structure for imports in value terms, holding a 73.3% share of total flows. Other markets contributed comparatively modest shares.

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