ARGENTINA'S RECORD IN THE CHICKEN MARKET

The Argentine poultry meat industry reached in 2012 a production of 1.916 million tons, an all-time record, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture of the country compiled by CICCRA, an employer that brings together beef producers. The result represented an increase of 7.7% over 2011 and marked the tenth year of expansion in the sector.
Contrary to what occurs in the area of bovine meat, chicken meat exports from Argentina gain an increasingly important role. Last year, were 310 thousand tons sent abroad, equivalent to 16.1% of total production, while in the segment of beef the physical volume of exports accounted for 6.9% of the total.
According to the Indec, the official Government Statistics Institute, the financial volume of chicken exports for the first time surpassed the barrier of half a billion dollars, totaling $ 538 million. The increment was 24.5% 2011 on, and this in a year when total exports of Argentina kicked 3%.
"Our forecast of growth was even greater. We couldn't get in because of the increased costs. Have exported 280 million tons in 2011 and imagined reaching 330 thousand last year, "said Roberto Domenech, President of CEPA, the employer of the poultry meat sector in Argentina.
The main inputs of the chicken industry are soybeans and corn, grains that had sharply higher prices last year. This increase is mitigated in Argentina by charging the tax on grain exports, which creates a price differential of up to 35% for the domestic market. But the Government has kept the dollar artificially low in the country, which makes labor costs and sales have gone up about 15 dollarized% last year.
"Fortunately the domestic market is still absorbing handily production. Imagined domestic sales growth at 6% and 9% had, "said Domenech. Chicken consumption per inhabitant per year in Argentina reached 40 kilos. In 2001, was 17.6 pounds per capita. In 1980, were only 8.6.
The chicken was the only animal protein which closed 2012 with a high on its exports, according to Indec.
According to the Institute, the financial volume of sales of fresh and frozen beef fell from $ 1,136 billion, in 2011, to $ 1,022 billion. Milk powder exports kicked in $ 843 million to $ 780 million. The bovine hides and skins fell from $ 684 million to $ 617 million. Also decreased exports of fish and shellfish, $ 770 million to $ 684 million.