Under the motto “Poultry from Uruguay to the world”, the Uruguayan Chamber of Poultry Processors (CUPRA) hosted the “First International Conference: Challenges for Uruguayan poultry exports.” CUPRA brings together the main poultry producers in Uruguay, representing over 95% of production, to promote the benefits of eating poultry, learning from the experiences of other South American countries.
The congress was held in Montevideo and was attended by the country’s president, Luis Lacalle; the Secretary of State, Álvaro Delgado; and the Undersecretary for Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Juan Ignacio Buffa, alongside other Uruguayan officials, local and foreign experts, and business representatives. Juan Carlos Domínguez, president of ChileCarne, was invited to share Chile’s production and export experience, as the country has achieved a significant growth in poultry exports.
The conference had an international panel that addressed the point of view of the main poultry exporters in the region. Domínguez was joined by Carlos Sinesi, vice-president of the Argentinian Chamber of Chicken Exporters; Ricardo Santín, president of the Brazilian Animal Protein Association; and Marcelo Secco, from the Uruguayan Packing Industry Association, who shared their knowledge and experiences. Secco highlighted the experience of the beef industry in Uruguay.
Juan Carlos Domínguez talked about Chile’s consolidated poultry industry, which has prioritized exports for over two decades. He explained that chicken and turkey represent 49% of the meat produced in Chile, and 46% of Chilean meat exports. He also highlighted that in 2022, pork and poultry cemented their position as the fourth largest food exporting sector.
The pillars of Chilean success, according to ChileCarne’s president, are openness to trade, biosecurity, food security, sustainability, and efficient public-private work. He talked about how Avian influenza was handled in Chile, highlighting the positive balance after the first cases were found in the country.
Based on the experience of regional industry leaders, the event’s host country concluded that it is getting ready to face the challenges and opportunities presented by poultry exports on the global stage.
