Compared to other Latin American nations, the Chilean poultry sector is not one with big numbers, but it stands out with good quality products and exports, as well as a very good animal health system in terms of biosecurity, monitoring, reporting and control of avian diseases.
In the egg sector, Chile is the sixth largest producer in Latin America, with 17.1 million laying hens in production in 2023. This number is a little less than 10% of Mexico’s layer population, 13% of Brazil’s layer population, or around 32% of neighboring Argentina and 33% of Colombia’s. In terms of per capita egg consumption Chile is below the regional average of 242 eggs per person, with 217 eggs.
All these numbers weigh heavily on Chilean producers because the want to increase both production and consumption. The pandemic was a watershed for Chilean egg producers. During lockdown egg production and consumption increased to record levels with 247 eggs per person in 2021. But ever since, numbers have been declining, and production is not growing as fast as they want.
There are several constraints linked to this. First, the Chilean authorities are taking too long to grant permissions to open new egg farms, expand existing ones or even upgrade facilities. Permissions are related to environmental impact issues as well as regulations that are impractical. In some cases, it even takes ten years to be granted! Practically, no new entrepreneurships have been accomplished in this same period.
Then avian flu hit in 2023. But other pressures come from activists pushing to change production systems. Five years ago, a cage-free project was presented at congress, but it has not been approved. It is curious to blame animal welfare when Chile has been at the forefront of it in the region, way ahead of large producers.
In addition, as Patricio Kurte, head of ChileHuevos, the egg producers association, said: “Animal welfare is not associated with a particular production system. The important thing is that consumers have the freedom to choose.”
He is right! Because where does food security lie with this?
Lastly, the other issue is egg smuggling from Bolivia, a problem that also affects neighboring Peru and Argentina. Too much regulation on “internal” issues – such as animal welfare and the environment – and not enough on illegal imports.
In terms of legal imports of eggs from Brazil, it has also increased, as Chile is now the main importer of eggs from that country.
The Chilean egg industry is recovering and looks at a promising 2025. Recovery was the path in 2024, and ChileHuevos expects a 6% growth in both per capita consumption and production.
What do you think?
