U.S. Imports Thwart Guatemalan Chicken Producers

WASHINGTON - Sep 11/05 - SNS -- Guatemala has the productive capacity to cover all its domestic requirements, but local producers cannot compete with cheap leg quarters imported from the United States, reports the U.SA. agricultural attache for the country.

Guatemala's poultry production is managed exclusively with local investment. Three main groups represent the industry: Multi Inversiones (owner of Campero restaurants in Central America and franchises in other countries, controlling poultry production and feed formulation), Pesca, Areca y FRISA (PAF), and small producers. Small producers account for 22% of the poultry production.

All groups are represented in the National Poultry Producers' Association (ANAVI). ANAVI started working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) in 2003 to ensure both meat and eggs were produced under a sanitary program that would assure long-term stability for the poultry sector. Egg production also runs under local investment for the most part, except for Julia Farm, which is owned by a firm from El Salvador.

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