Latin America and the Caribbean: Chicken Meat Market 2025

Chicken Meat Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American chicken meat market amounted to $X in 2021, with an increase of 3.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Chicken Meat Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, chicken meat production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 8.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Brazil (X tons) remains the largest chicken meat producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising approx. 52% of total volume. Moreover, chicken meat production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mexico (X tons), fourfold. Argentina (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Brazil totaled +2.7%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Mexico (+3.1% per year) and Argentina (+2.1% per year).

In 2021, the average yield of chicken meat in Latin America and the Caribbean rose slightly to X kg per head, growing by 1.5% compared with 2020 figures. In general, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 1.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the chicken meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for chicken meat production in Latin America and the Caribbean rose to X heads, picking up by 2.7% compared with 2020 figures. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the number of producing animals increased by 3.9%. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Chicken Meat Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, exports of chicken meat in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at X tons, increasing by 7.1% against the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, chicken meat exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil prevails in exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Argentina (X tons) and Chile (X tons) - each amounted to a 6.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to chicken meat exports from Brazil stood at +1.9%. At the same time, Chile (+5.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Chile emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +5.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Argentina (-7.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+4.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Argentina (-4.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest chicken meat supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 5.8% share of total exports.

In Brazil, chicken meat exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Chile (+9.3% per year) and Argentina (-8.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild decrease. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Chicken Meat Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, chicken meat imports in Latin America and the Caribbean rose significantly to X tons, increasing by 12% against 2020. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, chicken meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons) represented the main importer of chicken meat, achieving 34% of total imports. Cuba (X tons) held a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Saint Lucia (11%), Chile (6.5%), Haiti (6.2%) and Guatemala (6.1%). Colombia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to chicken meat imports into Mexico stood at +2.7%. At the same time, Colombia (+11.8%), Chile (+9.3%), Cuba (+8.1%), Guatemala (+7.6%) and Haiti (+5.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +11.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Saint Lucia (-9.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Cuba, Mexico, Chile, Guatemala, Haiti and Colombia increased by +7.2, +4.9, +3.3, +2.6, +2.2 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chicken meat in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 31% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saint Lucia ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Cuba, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Mexico amounted to +1.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saint Lucia (-8.1% per year) and Cuba (+6.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while Cuba ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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