January 25, 2013

Chile sees positive trade figures for poultry in 2012

Chile's poultry sector has concluded 2012 with positive trade figures as exports reached US$329 million, while imports from the US, Argentina and Brazil have totalled to about US$147 million.

Exports to the US, including Puerto Rico, grew by 58%. The main product exported to the US was boned breast, which accounted for 58% of chicken meat.

The growth in shipments to the US offset lower earnings reported in the Europeam market. Chilean imports fell 8% due to economic crises.

With effect from 1 January 2013, tariffs on Chilean poultry (chicken and turkey) exports to the US came down to a zero, making the sector more competitive in the US market.

During 2012, imports remained constant, unlike previous years, which showed significant increase. However, there have been important changes in the diversity of products imported from Argentina, the US and Brazil, three of the world's largest exporters of chicken meat.

Domestic consumption of chicken increased by 2.9% in 2012, higher than the average growth of the past five years, which was 2.2% (2007-2011). The cumulative growth in consumption in the last five years is 39%, which has been stocked with domestic production and imports. Currently, 15% of Chileans consume chicken imported from Argentina, US and Brazil.