Washington Report

Total broiler production in major producing countries is estimated at 84,610,000 metric tons for 2013, 2.2 percent above the 82,774,000 tons in 2012 and 1,067,000 tons more than the estimate made in October 2012, according to the “Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade” report from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Production was revised upward with more than anticipated growth primary in the United States, Thailand, and Russia. FAS’ estimated broiler production for this year is 14.9 percent higher than the 73,612,000 tons produced in 2009. The United States continues to be the leading broiler producing country with over 20 percent of the world total. China and Brazil are the second and third largest producing countries, accounting for 17 percent and 15 percent, respectively, of global output.

Broiler production in selected major countries for 2009 through forecast 2013 is as follows:

Broiler exports for 2013 were also raised in the latest report when compared with the October 2012 report. This year’s exports by major countries is now seen at 10,314,000 tons, 2.2 percent more than the 10,088,000 tons in 2012 and 262,000 tons higher than the previous forecast. Brazil will likely again be the top broiler exporter followed by the United States. Brazil’s share of world broiler exports in 2013 is forecast at 35 percent while the U.S. share is expected to be 32 percent. Like broiler production, broiler exports have increased every year since 2009 with total exports this year to be 22 percent above the 8,433,000 tons in 2009.

Broiler exports by major, selected countries for 2009 through forecast 2013 are as follows:

Regarding broiler production and exports, FAS reported the following:

United States
Production is boosted 671,000 tons to a record 17.0 million tons as a result of better prices and higher weights. Exports are raised 114,000 tons to 3.3 million tons driven by escalating demand in Mexico and Cuba, coupled with Russia’s removal of preferential tariffs for a number of countries including Brazil.
Brazil
Production is lowered 170,000 tons to 12.8 million tons as a result of shrinking domestic demand. However, exports are raised 25,000 tons to 3.6 million tons because of greater demand in East Asia and the Middle East.
European Union
Production is down 30,000 tons to 9.6 million tons as declines in France and the United Kingdom outweigh expansion mainly in Germany and Poland. Exports are lowered by 60,000 tons to 1.1 million tons because of a reduction of available exportable supplies, as a result of the bankruptcy of Doux (France’s leading producer) and lower restitutions. Production is decreased by 50,000 tons to 14.1 million tons due to tighter margins on higher feed costs and lower prices. Exports are unchanged at 400,000 tons due to price competitive supplies from Brazil and the United States in some markets, but expanding demand in other markets.
Russia
Production is raised 100,000 tons to 3.0 million tons as increased government supports and stronger demand (fueled by a rising preference for value-added products and elevated red meat prices) moderate higher costs. Exports are up 25,000 tons to 80,000 tons as a result of preferential market access to Kazakhstan due to the Customs Union. Imports are higher by 60,000 tons to 580,000 due to greater demand for low-cost sources of protein.
Mexico
Production is increased 25,000 tons to 3.0 million tons despite higher costs associated with feed and bio-security measures in response to the avian influenza (AI) outbreak. Exports are cut 4,000 tons to 8,000 tons due to the AI outbreak. Imports remain unchanged at 640,000 tons as a result of stable per capita consumption.
Argentina
Production remains unchanged at 2.0 million tons, while exports are up 30,000 tons to 315,000 in response to larger demand from Venezuela, China and Chile.
Turkey
Production remains unchanged at 1.7 million tons, although exports are raised 70,000 tons to 330,000 tons as a result of burgeoning demand from Iraq and other Middle-East markets.
Thailand
Production is boosted 110,000 tons to 1.6 million tons as a result of higher domestic and foreign demand. Exports are up 20,000 tons to 600,000 tons with greater market access to European and East Asian markets.
Ukraine
Production is raised 83,000 tons to 903,000 tons as new production facilities come into operation. Exports jump 70,000 tons to 120,000 tons in response to growing demand from Kazakhstan and Russia.

Combined poultry (chicken and turkey), pork, and beef and veal production in major countries for 2013 is forecast at 254,988,000 tons, 1.6 percent higher than the 251,048,000 in 2012. This year’s forecast is 8.8 percent more than the 234,428,000 tons in 2009. Combined exports of poultry, pork, and beef-veal total 26,809,000 tons for 2013, 2.3 percent above the 26,194,000 tons exported in 2013 and 17.4 percent greater than the 22,828,000 tons exported in 2008. Pork is the most produced global meat with 107,412,000 tons forecast for 2013 or 42 percent of world meat and poultry production. Poultry is the most exported meat on a world-wide basis with 10,963,000 tons forecast for 2013 or 41 percent of combined world exports of beef-veal, pork, and poultry.