Mexico’s broiler production is forecast to reach a record 2,975,000 metric tons this year despite outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H7N3) in the states of Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, and Jalisco, according to the “International Egg and Poultry Review” from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Programs.
Production estimates for 2012 were revised downward to 2,958,000 tons from 2,965,000 tons. In 2011, broiler meat production totaled 2,906,000 tons. In 2011, Jalisco was ranked as Mexico’s largest poultry meat producing state and also for table eggs, representing 11.5 percent and 50.3 percent of domestic production, respectively.
The annual average price Mexico paid for US chicken hatching egg prices in 2012 was $3.00 per dozen, according to data received by AMS. From January-March 2013, Mexico was paying an average of $3.60 per dozen versus $3.00 per dozen during the same period in 2012. During March 2013, Mexico was paying an average of $4.00 per dozen, AMS noted.
As of May 7, 2013 the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reported new outbreaks of highly-pathogenic H7N3 in commercial layer flocks, breeder flocks, and a backyard farm in the states of Jalisco (two outbreaks), Guanajuato (two outbreaks), and Puebla (one outbreak). Control measures have been taken, Mexican government officials declared. Since the first outbreak in 2012 Mexico has reported a total of 53 outbreaks and the destruction of 5,415,015 birds. AMS said this report was based on information from USDA FAS/World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), International Society of Infectious Diseases (Promed), USDA AMS and LPGMN/news wires.
In a related report, Dr. Assad Heneidi of the Mexican Food Safety Agency (Senasica) at the annual convention of the Mexican Association of Poultry Science Specialists (Aneca), earlier this month confirmed the presence of avian influenza in the Mexican state of Puebla. On May 9, the World Organization for Animal Health confirmed this with the release of an updated avian influenza report.
The outbreak in the municipality of Palmar del Bravo, Puebla, began May 1 in a commercial layer farm and was resolved May 7, leaving 40,000 dead birds. Avian influenza was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory using virus isolation on May 6. On May 7, the farm was depopulated and counter-epidemic activities began, such as cleaning, washing and disinfection of facilities and equipment, as well as stepped-up state surveillance, the report noted.
