Côte d'Ivoire's broiler production in CY 2022 is estimated to be 42,065 MT, a 10% decrease from CY 2021, due to high feed costs, particularly corn. Over the past three years, broiler production has decreased due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, COVID-19, and increased freight costs for production inputs. Domestic broiler production in CY 2021 is estimated at 46,795 MT, an 11% decrease from CY 2020, mainly due to lower corn harvests and higher input costs. Layer chicken production is estimated at 5,190 MT in CY 2022, down 10% from CY 2021, with only 700 farms compared to 1,500 broiler farms due to lower investment and operation costs. Egg production is estimated at 1.133 billion units, a 15% decrease from CY 2020, due to reduced layers. Post estimates DOC production in CY 2022 to be 54.9 million, down 10% from CY 2021, but to increase to 70 million DOC in CY 2023.
Despite the challenges faced by the poultry industry in Côte d'Ivoire, there are efforts to improve the situation. The government has implemented policies to support the sector, such as providing subsidies for farmers to purchase feed and vaccines, and offering training programs to improve the skills of local farmers. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to address the HPAI outbreaks and improve biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks.
In terms of feed production, there are initiatives to increase local corn production and reduce reliance on imports. The government is working with farmers to promote the use of improved seed varieties, fertilizers, and irrigation systems to increase crop yields. In addition, there are plans to establish feed mills and processing facilities to increase local production of poultry feed.
Overall, while there are challenges facing the poultry industry in Côte d'Ivoire, there are also opportunities for growth and development. With continued government support and investment, as well as improved biosecurity measures and increased local production of feed, the industry has the potential to rebound and continue to provide a valuable source of protein for the country's population.
Poultry meat consumption in Côte d'Ivoire is expected to remain steady at 2.65 kg/person in CY 2022, unchanged from CY 2021. Although chicken meat consumption has increased by 140 percent from CY 2010 to CY 2020, the price of broiler meat has declined over the same period. Despite a recent increase in chicken and layer prices due to rising feed costs, Post expects demand for poultry meat to rise in the next few years, driven by the expanding Ivoirian middle class who find poultry meat to be competitively priced compared to beef, fish, and pork. Egg consumption has also grown, with Post estimating that demand for eggs and chickens will outstrip the current supply in the next five years.
This expected growth in demand is due to the rising middle class and the more competitive price of poultry in comparison to other protein sources. In CY 2020, egg consumption reached 52 eggs/person/year, which was a 67 percent increase in the past twelve years. Post predicts that the egg consumption rate could reach 86 eggs/person in 2025.
However, there are potential challenges that could hinder the growth of the poultry industry. The prevalence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the areas surrounding Grand Bassam, COVID-19, and the war in Ukraine has impacted poultry production due to increased freight costs for production inputs. The reduced corn harvests due to increasing input costs (mostly fertilizer) have also impacted corn production, which has resulted in a decline in broiler and layer production in recent years.
In conclusion, the Côte d'Ivoire poultry industry is facing challenges due to various factors such as HPAI, rising feed costs, and reduced corn harvests. However, with the rising middle class and competitive poultry prices, Post predicts that demand for poultry meat and eggs will continue to grow in the next few years.
According to Post estimates, chicken meat imports in Côte d’Ivoire are expected to decrease by 21% in MY 2022 compared to MY 2021, with 985 MT imported. The country typically relies on local supply to meet national demand for chicken meat. However, over the last five years, 4,609 MT of chicken meat products have been imported from countries such as Poland, France, Netherlands, Spain, and Germany. In response to the socio-political strife of September 2002, customs and tax measures were implemented to encourage the importation of frozen poultry meat from industrialized nations, reducing domestic poultry production and shifting the balance in favor of imports.
Since the implementation of the 20% VAT on agricultural inputs in Côte d’Ivoire, the country has been importing most of its modern poultry products from industrialized nations like Poland, France, Netherlands, Spain, and Germany. The socio-political conflicts in September 2002 had a significant impact on domestic poultry production, leading to a reduction in competitiveness and a shift towards imported poultry products. In response, the government introduced customs and tax measures to encourage massive importation of frozen poultry meat, resulting in a decline in domestic poultry production. The government increased the compensatory levy on all poultry products in 2005 to stimulate national production and provide adequate customs protection for local production against low-priced sub-pieces chicken imports from countries with excess production. Despite this, the country exported a small amount of poultry products to neighboring countries in 2021, while Post estimates a 21 percent decrease in chicken meat imports in MY 2022, as local supply meets almost all national demand.
