This paper analyses the dynamics in Mexico’s egg and poultry meat industry and in poultry meat and egg imports between 2010 and 2020.
Hans-Wilhelm Windhorst – The author is Professor emeritus at the University of Vechta and visiting Professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
Mexico’s role in the global poultry industry is often underestimated. In 2019, it ranked in 6th place among the leading egg producing countries with a share of 3.5% in the global production volume. It contributed 2.9% to global chicken meat production, a share of 2.9% in the global production and rank 7 among the leading countries. In the global trade with broiler and turkey meat it ranked in first place, sharing 6.7% of the chicken meat imports and even 16.3% of the global turkey meat imports. Because of the high domestic production, egg imports were negligible.
Poultry products: the main protein source
The preference of the consumers for poultry products has various reasons. Because of the favourable feed conversion, production costs of eggs and broiler meat are much lower than for beef and pork. Broiler meat and eggs can be used in a broad variety of meals and have a long tradition in Mexican nutrition. The consumer price is lower than for other meats and affordable even for low-income families.
Covid-19 interrupted the dynamical growth of chicken meat consumption
Continuous growth of egg production and consumption
High regional concentration of production
Chicken meat and egg production are regionally concentrated to a high degree. Table 4 documents that the concentration is higher in egg than in chicken meat production. The spatial pattern has advantages and risks. Shorter distances between the chicken houses, feed mills, packing plants and further processing facilities are and advantage, lowering the transportation costs. On the other hand, the concentration of chicken barns can be a risk, as the dissemination of the Avian Influenza virus in 2012 showed.
Summary and perspectives
Mexico is one of the leading countries in egg and chicken meat production and the leading importing country for broiler and turkey meat. Over the past decade, chicken meat and egg production increased continuously. Avian Influenza outbreaks in 2012 interrupted the growth of egg production for a short period, but did not affect the poultry meat sector. Chicken meat and eggs are the main protein source for the population. This is reflected in the high per capita consumption. While Mexico is almost self-sufficient in egg supply, considerable amounts of broiler meat are imported, mainly from the USA and Brazil. The Covid-19 pandemic and the economic recession caused a decline in chicken meat consumption in 2020 and resulted in lower imports. A permanent risk for the highly concentrated poultry industry is the Avian Influenza virus. Despite the vaccination of breeding and layer herds, the virus is endemic in certain states. The lasting Covid-19 pandemic will affect the poultry industry, especially chicken meat production, also in 2021.
Data sources and suggestions for further reading