According to the USDA-GAIN report MX2021-008 released on March 9th, production of turkey meat in Mexico will increase fractionally from 2020 to 18,000 metric tons in 2021. Imports in 2020 amounted to 151,000 metric tons. This figure is questioned since USDA document exports of turkey meat to Mexico amounting to 166,700 metric tons. The framers of the report should be aware of USDA export figures and should have either reconciled what must be accepted as valid data from USDA with whatever source was used to assemble the report. Does Mexico re-export turkey meat to neighboring countries? The report documents exports of 1,600 metric tons that is one tenth of the difference.
Assuming a population of 130 million, and a consumption of 181,000 metric tons of RTC turkey meat, per capita consumption is 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs). This figure can be compared to broiler meat consumption of 78.4 lbs. The hard-pressed U.S. turkey industry should investigate how various forms of low-value U.S. turkey can be promoted in Mexico to meaningfully raise the level of consumption and hence exports. The efforts of USAPEEC are commendable but a large potential apparently exists to export turkey products to our southern USMCA neighbor.
As with the Broiler section of the semi-annual GAIN Report that is discussed in this edition of CHICK-NEWS discrepancies are not addressed and the document is superficial, lacking in detail. We deserve better.