Dominican poultry sector faces rising costs despite high production

The Dominican Association of Poultry Farmers (ADA) reports that the sector is maintaining high production levels to ensure national supply, with egg production exceeding 400 million units monthly and chicken production averaging 23 million units. Despite these volumes, the industry is facing significant pressure from rising operational costs.

Key drivers of these increased costs include the rising prices of imported raw materials used for animal feed, specifically corn and soybean meal. Corn prices in the Chicago market remain near US$5.50 per bushel due to high export demand, while soybean prices have risen by 1.69% over the last four weeks, driven by purchases from China. Additionally, Brent crude oil prices exceeding US$100 per barrel have increased international maritime freight costs, further impacting the cost of imported inputs for the poultry industry.