Home
News
Saudi Arabia attempts to increase poultry export
Saudi Arabian poultry producers are facing robust
competition from imported frozen chickens, despite generous government subsidies
and a rising population.
Saudi producers of poultry meat are now searching for export markets
elsewhere in the region. Annual consumption of poultry meat in the Saudi Arabia
is estimated at over one billion kg/year, and Saudi government support is
designed to compensate for the higher local production costs, which in some
cases is up to US$580/mt more expensive than Brazilian imports.
Although those in the sector have a growing consumer market and are already
protected by a 20% import tariff, Saudi poultry producers continue to lose
domestic market share to cheaper frozen imports predominantly from Brazil.
Brazilian-led imports now account for 44% slice of the domestic market valued at
US$1.6 billion annually.
Producers are fighting back, lobbying government for higher import tariffs
and subsidies, but searching strategically for new more lucrative markets now
also seems firmly on their agenda. Originally aimed at attaining
self-sufficiency, the Saudi government's support could now encourage new export
drives.
Related articles:
Editor WorldPoultry
To comment, login here
Or register to be able to comment.