Latin America and the Caribbean: Fresh Whole Chicken Market 2025

Fresh Whole Chicken Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American fresh whole chicken market contracted to $X in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the market value increased by 7.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Whole Chicken Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, fresh whole chicken production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Brazil (X tons), Mexico (X tons) and Argentina (X tons), with a combined 56% share of total production. Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Bolivia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Panama (with a CAGR of +6.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Whole Chicken Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

For the fourth consecutive year, LatAmerica and the Caribbean recorded growth in overseas shipments of fresh or chilled whole chickens, which increased by 72% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +126.6% against 2018 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Dominican Republic dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 87% of total exports in 2021. El Salvador (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Bolivia (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The Dominican Republic was also the fastest-growing in terms of the fresh or chilled whole chickens exports, with a CAGR of +29.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Argentina (+24.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Brazil (-2.1%), El Salvador (-6.3%) and Bolivia (-19.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the Dominican Republic and Argentina increased by +65 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the Dominican Republic ($X) remains the largest fresh whole chicken supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by El Salvador ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Dominican Republic stood at +29.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: El Salvador (-3.2% per year) and Brazil (+0.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 0.5%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by El Salvador (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Whole Chicken Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of decline, overseas purchases of fresh or chilled whole chickens increased by 46% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 115%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, fresh whole chicken imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Mexico represented the major importer of fresh or chilled whole chickens in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 50% of total imports in 2021. Haiti (X tons) took a 26% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Dominican Republic (9.5%) and Cayman Islands (9.5%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Dominican Republic (with a CAGR of +29.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported fresh or chilled whole chickens in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Dominican Republic ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Cayman Islands, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico totaled -3.3%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Dominican Republic (+32.5% per year) and Cayman Islands (+17.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price enjoyed a notable expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 87% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was the Dominican Republic ($X per ton), while Haiti ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cayman Islands (+6.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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