CAMPINAS, Brazil – Aviagen^® is dedicated to “Breeding Success Together” with the wider poultry sector, and sharing knowledge is key to building a strong and competitive industry. At the kickoff of Brazil’s annual Foundation of Animal Science and Technology (FACTA) conference on Feb. 11 in Campinas, São Paulo, Aviagen Latin America President Ivan Pupo Lauandos joined industry colleagues to discuss factors shaping the sector’s future.

A key takeaway was that Brazil’s poultry industry experienced one of its strongest periods in recent history in the 2^nd half of 2024. Lauandos attributed this success to favorable input costs, currency devaluation helping exports, good domestic market demand and strong exports, but emphasized that long-term competitiveness relies on continued investment in biosecurity, technology and workforce development.

Ivan Lauandos highlighted innovation, training, and strategic planning as key to sustaining global competitiveness

Strong performance in 2024, but the sector needs balance

Reflecting on the past year, Lauandos remarked, “In my 28 years in poultry farming, I can’t recall a period as strong as the 2^nd semester of 2024.” 

He highlighted key factors behind this success, including moderate corn price increases, lower soybean meal costs and strong domestic market prices. Additionally, a weaker currency supported exports, while high cattle prices—both in Brazil and internationally—further boosted poultry demand.

Looking ahead, Lauandos projects 2% growth in poultry production for 2025, with 5.4 million tons of exports and a 2.1% rise in domestic consumption. He expects per capita poultry consumption to grow, reaching 7.2 billion broiler chicks this year. However, he cautioned against overproduction in 2026, urging producers to take a measured approach to chick placements.

Challenges and opportunities in a competitive market

While the outlook remains positive, Lauandos identified key challenges that will require attention:

• Ongoing sustainability improvement. We will continue to advance broiler feed efficiency to further lower the sector’s carbon footprint. 
• Biosecurity investment: Maintaining strict biosecurity measures is critical to safeguarding the industry against threats like Avian Influenza. 
• Technology and digitalization: Modernizing farms with advanced equipment, digital monitoring and automated systems will be key to long-term success.
• Skilled workforce development: Addressing the shortage of skilled labor is essential. Lauandos proposed establishing poultry-focused training programs similar to those in Colombia, equipping professionals with expertise in areas such as check sexing and field management.

Adapting to market trends and global opportunities

Lauandos discussed shifts in protein consumption, highlighting growth in eggs, fish and pork consumption, besides chicken. Egg consumption has reached 269 units per capita, and fish consumption now stands at 10 kg per capita per year. To remain competitive, he stressed the need for continued innovation and new products development to keep chicken meat attractiveness.

On a global scale, Brazil accounts for 15% of poultry production and 39% of exports. Lauandos urged the industry to expand into new markets and leverage opportunities created by global supply shifts.

“The coming years present significant opportunities for Brazil’s poultry industry. However, to seize them, we must continue evolving—improving productivity and strengthening biosecurity. At Aviagen, we say, ‘to breed the best, we need the best,’ and investing in our people will also be paramount,” he concluded.