Latin American Poultry Association turns 50 years old. On 23th April 1970 their founders decided to create the association with the aim to join efforts and coordinate with the poultry production countries of Latin America. 50 years later, the institution is still working with the countries in order to improve food and nutrition of the population. Among its challenges are innovating and adapt to the changing needs of today’s market and society.

Latin American Poultry Association turns 50 years old. ¿What are the main achievements during its history?

One of the main goals achieved has been unite in one institution the majority of the Latin American poultry countries in a single objective: to improve every day the food and nutrition of the population of the region, through high quality protein foods such as egg, chicken and turkey.

This has allowed Latin American poultry producers to have their own voice and present themselves to consumers and defend their interests with decision makers at the global level, such as international governmental organizations responsible for issuing rules, regulations and guidelines that affect the industry. It has also allowed participating in the promotion of the improvements and innovations that are permanently taking place in the sector.

Throughout the history of the association the poultry industry has changed significantly. While in the beginning was basically a local industry, today, the market has globalized and the integration of the companies is a trend. How do you think these changes affect the Latin American poultry sector?

The globalization of the markets has been a great opportunity for the Latin American poultry industry. It has allowed its growth through international trade and the transmission of knowledge. This has converted the poultry sector into a pioneering industry in technology, organization and development. Its integration as value chain ensures the supply of the best genetic, food and production forms. It allows allocating the products of the industry around the world ensuring the quality and conditions of the highest standards.

However, globalization has also represented challenges to the producers of our countries that have to compete with products from other regions which have state support and subsidies that hinder fair management and competition.

Which are the main actions carried out by the association to unify and strengthen Latin American producers?

Taking into account the particularities of poultry production in our countries, ALA has promoted the best practices and joint effort to work on several axes that are common to us, which are: Promote health and safety of both producers and products; the constant search of competiveness in the face of an increasingly growing and more demanding population and environmental sustainability of the poultry activity.

These are the main objectives on which the work of the Association is focused. They commit all the members, who cooperate with each other with clear objectives and a common vision that separately and individually would be difficult to achieve.

The work carried out by ALA covers all the entire Latin American territory, which are the main differences which can be found in terms of poultry production?

When we speak about a region of around 630 million inhabitants, such as Latin America and the Caribbean, with different culture, history and levels of development, it is to be expected that the way of doing things reflects these characteristics. However, despite the territory covered by ALA, with 18 Latin American and 5 Caribbean countries, which communicate in three languages, we can point out that the differences in poultry production are somewhat complementary. We have countries that are large producers and exporters of grains, poultry, eggs and other products. They are important suppliers, not only within the region but also globally. And we have clearly importing countries that are moving towards achieving efficient and profitable production that supplies their national markets, allowing fair exchange.

Which challenges face the poultry production in this stage?

Adapt and continue innovating, following market conditions to overcome limitations. Changes in the economic conditions of each country and international context, the new regulations and the different needs of the population make it necessary to remain at the forefront of food production. The objective is to continue being the convenient choice for its accessibility, nutritional content and impact in the social conditions of the region. These are in short our great challenges.

How has the COVID-19 affected the industry? Do you think it will have consequences for poultry production in a medium term?

The Covid-19 has caused serious damages to the Latin American poultry industry; one of them is the distortion that was generated in the markets.

At the beginning of the crisis, the egg markets convulsed. Consumers panicked and made excessive purchases. It was generated an over-demand of food and, at the same time, a significant increase in prices. In general terms, one could speak of almost 20% increase, however, the situation has returned to the usual purchase.

In the chicken markets, the impact remains. The traditional channels of distribution were closed (restaurants, hotels and everything related to banquets and celebrations). This affected the distribution channel by up to 30%; as a consequence meat prices were collapsed.

Given this, the poultry producers had to redirect the distribution of its products to markets that did have a constant flow. However, the prices of poultry meat have not been able to recover in many places.

This situation will have medium and long-term impact on the economic, social and public policy levels. The adaptability of the industry will be a key to this reality.

Let’s talk about the new trends in the reduction of the use of antibiotics and chemical additives that are taking place, for example, in the European market. Do you think this issue is important to ensure food security and sustainability?

The issue of responsible use of antibiotics and healthy production is not unique in other regions. In Latin America, we have been working on the continuous improvement of poultry production through training of producers and demonstrative campaigns about the benefits of these practices to ensure food and nutritional security that is in harmony with the environment. We are precisely working on the formulation of a project with IICA to intensify our action in favor of transmitting scientific knowledge to poultry producers on this subject that is in harmony with the environment.

Related to the previous question, this also have an impact on the consumer who is increasingly looking for ‘organic’ products. Is this a trend also observed in Latin America?

The Latin America consumer is also aware and requests that food production, including those of poultry origin, be carried out not only following the quality and safety standards, but also, in harmony with the environment so as to guarantee the sustainability. This concern is also of the poultry industry and, therefore, emphasis is increasingly placed on sustainable management practices in all production systems that we use in Latin America.

Which measures have been implemented in the poultry production to reduce the production of greenhouses gases?

As it is known, and recognized by several international agencies which work in the measurement and monitoring of greenhouse gases, poultry is one of the animal protein production that has the least emissions. Poultry farmers work continuously in search of technology and practices to reduce the greenhouse emissions to preserve the environment. The investments made in the poultry industry in waste management, and in clean production, are directed towards that end: to be the least polluting industry for the benefit of all.

¿Do you consider that the poultry industry can collaborate, in a remarkable way, in sustaining a human population that will grow from 7 billion to 10 billion inhabitants in the next 25 years?

Of course, poultry industry has the ability to maintain a fully sustainable supply of animal protein. It can offer food of high nutritional quality such as eggs, chicken and turkey, at affordable prices for practically the entire population in the world, not only in Latin America.

In fact, according to studies carried out by Rabobank, poultry farming has the ability to rapidly convert and adapt to the conditions that arise in different economic, social and food environments.

Do you think that the poultry industry is sufficiently represented in the United Nations’ 2030 project?

Since 2017, ALA has participated in meetings organized by FAO with representatives of private organizations to assess the participation of organized civil society and production agents in achieving the United Nations SDGs. In two of the meetings in which we have participated since then, ALA pointed out and insisted on the fact that the active participation of those who generate wealth, work with natural resources and with representatives of society in general, is the most effective way of achieving the proposed objectives. We believe that our participation in the debates, analysis and monitoring reports, progress and measures should be included with greater presence in order to see true results in this matter.

However, I can point out that de facto poultry contributes to several of the SDGs, as we have highlighted in the dissemination campaign that we carried out in October and November of last year.

Contribution of Poultry to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals