September 1, 2006

Indonesia's poultry industry expanding in spite of bird flu

Even as bird flu has caused fluctuations in consumption levels, USDA has estimated that overall consumption in the country would rise by 5 percent in 2007.

USDA also said that bird flu is now endemic in Indonesia, with 29 of its 33 provinces affected and is likely to be present in all segments of its poultry industry: from backyard farms to integrators . The country also had the highest number of casualties from bird flu, with 47 Indonesians dying from the disease.

The report noted that, despite the bird flu problem, poultry businesses have expanded their feed meal production and breeding farm investments in anticipation of future growth.

The broiler industry has also achieved greater efficiency, thus lowering the prices of broiler meats. Broiler meat consumption in Indonesia is estimated at 688,000 tonnes for 2006.

Per capita consumption of broiler meat in Indonesia is still one of the lowest in the region, at 3.1 kg/head, compared with Malaysia at 38.4 kg/head, the Philippines at 7.7 kg/head, and Thailand at 12.7 kg/head.