Poultry International

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ation and other news on the world’s poultry
industries by checking for regular updates on
our web site, www.WATTpoultry.com.

WORLDWIDE

Recovery in broilermeat
production ahead

According to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, broilermeat production in 2007 is forecast to rise by almost 2.4% to around 64.4 million tonnes (mt).

The revised forecast for broiler output in the USA last year points to a tiny increase over the year. For 2008, it is anticipated that growth will return to the norm of a little under 3% to exceed 16.5mt.

Production in China is expected to expand by around 500,000t ( 4.6%) to reach 11.4mt, while a similar volume gain is foreseen in Brazil where output could climb to more than 10.5mt. Production in Japan can best be described as ‘flat’ at around 1.2mt per year and although the trend is upward in Thailand, output this year is unlikely to exceed 2003’s 1.34mt.

A small gain is forecast for the 27 European Union countries but at 8.1mt, the combined total lags behind the 2005 level. Russia’s 2008

Broilermeat production in selected countries (‘000 tonnes) 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007(p)2008(f) USA 14,696 15,286 15,870 16,043 16,076 16,536 China 9,898 9,998 10,200 10,350 10,850 11,400 Brazil 7,645 8,408 9,350 9,355 10,105 10,550 EU- 27 7,916 7,852 8,169 7,803 8,035 8,090 Mexico 2,290 2,389 2,498 2,592 2,656 2,722 India 1,500 1,650 1,900 2,000 2,200 2,400 RussianFederation 560 650 900 1,180 1,350 1,500 Argentina 750 910 1,030 1,200 1,300 1,400 Japan 1,127 1,124 1,166 1,227 1,235 1,225 Thailand 1,340 900 950 1,100 1,050 1,150 Canada 929 946 977 971 995 1,005 Others 6,226 6,230 6,635 6,717 7,067 6,426 Total 54,877 56,343 59,645 60,538 62,919 64,404 Table footnotes: (p) preliminary, (f) forecast

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

Production in USA is little changed in 2007 over 2006, while China, Brazil, Russia and India all continued to make signficant gains

is predicted to be more than two and a half times that of 2003.

Whereas Mexico’s industry looks likely to show steady growth to top 2.72mt, production in India continues to expand apace with the 2008 forecast of 2.4mt showing a

9% rise on the year. Argentina may double its output from 2003.

For USDA’s predictions for
poultrymeat trade in 2008, go to www.
WATTpoultry.com/PImeattrade1.aspx

SNIPPETS

Romania: The president of the Poultry Breeders Union estimates the value of the domestic poultry market to reach €1.2 billion this year, according to a report in Agra Europe. Ilie Van said the value might even break through the €1 billion-mark in 2007. This follows a disastrous year in 2006, when industry losses reached €120 million due to avian flu. Investment in the industry was estimated at €170 million last year as local producers aim to increase their share of domestic consumption above 70%. Romanian consumers have turned ever more away from frozen poultry and towards fresh product in recent years.

India: Andhra Pradesh, a major player in the poultry industry, is setting up a research and development laboratory at a cost of 3 billion Indian rupees (INR; US$76m). The facility will be located in Pulivendula in Kadapa district. With an initial investment of INR1 billion (US$25 million), it

will focus on diseases reported in the poultry industry, according to Mandali Buddha Prasad, Minister for Animal Husbandry. The State Government has also announced plans to set up two laboratories in Hyderabad and

Vijayawada.

Thailand: Ajinomoto Betagro Frozen Foods has opened what is claimed to be the largest chicken processing plant in Asia. The facility in Lop Buri covers 22,000m² and cost 1.25 billion Thai baht (US$42 million). Initial annual capacity will be 24,000 tonnes of frozen cooked chicken, rising to 30,000t in the second phase.

Ajinomoto Betagro is a joint-venture between Ajinomoto Frozen Food Co, Japan’s leading food manufacturer, and Betagro Group, Thailand’s largest integrated agriculture company, all of the output