Country Reports - UAE

UAE Domestic Broiler Production Is Expected

to Rise Slightly in 2017

November 2017

Country Reports - UAE

UAE Domestic Broiler Production Is Expected

to Rise Slightly in 2017

November 2017
A series of factors including Avian Influenza (AI), a food safety scandal in Brazil, and most notably, new halal certification requirements have caused serious challenges for the broiler meat trade in the UAE. As a result, 2017 UAE broiler meat imports are expected to drop significantly from initial Post estimates and will total approximately 372,000 (MT) by the end of the 2017 calendar year. Post forecasts 2018 imports at 382,000 MT. Provided there is a return to normal trade conditions in 2018, UAE broiler imports are forecast to rebound and steadily rise over the next three years due to strong growth in the tourism and labor sectors.

The UAE's total broiler meat production is expected to reach 47,000 MT in 2017, a 2% increase from 2016. This increase was driven by the opening of a new poultry facility and expansion in existing farms. Major UAE poultry producers anticipate 2018 production to remain comparable to 2017 volume as no new UAE facilities are scheduled to come online. Local production accounts for approximately 11% of the UAE's total poultry supply with the majority of product imported from Brazil and the United States. The UAE is not an exporter of broiler meat and consumes the total amount of supply that is available annually. Brazil remains the dominant supplier of broiler meat to UAE with approximately 70% market share. The UAE's total broiler meat production is expected to reach 47,000 MT in 2017, a 2% increase from the previous year. This increase was driven by a new poultry farm coming into operation and expanded capacity within existing facilities. Major UAE poultry producers anticipate 2018 production volumes to remain the same as 2017 estimates. Although the number of domestic poultry farms has increased over the last five years, factors such as high feed costs, animal disease, and strong price competition from imports have limited the expansion of domestic production. Some poultry operations now buy live chickens from small backyard poultry growers to satisfy growing consumer demand [for fresh product]. Four Emirati companies account for 50% of broilers produced in the country, while the largest, Al Rawda, is responsible for over 23% of total domestic production. Poultry, Meat, Broiler Current Factors Affecting UAE Poultry Production: Animal Disease: Again in 2017, UAE chicken producers faced challenges related to the control of animal diseases like low pathogenic avian influenza (AI) and infectious bronchitis. Migratory birds and wild animals also contribute to the spread of disease throughout farms in the region. Overall mortality rates are estimated to average around 10% of production, although some farms report losses as high as 25%. Small-scale backyard poultry production exists in the UAE, although UAE authorities have imposed strict regulations and monitoring of these types of operations ever since bird flu was detected in the country a decade ago. Controlling the spread of animal diseases will continue to challenge UAE chicken producers and constrain output for the foreseeable future. Government Support: The UAE federal government does not provide subsidies or financial support to the UAE poultry industry, so domestic producers face fierce competition from Saudi Arabian and Omani producers who receive governmental support. Competition from regional suppliers has negatively impacted the profitability of many local producers as several UAE retailers opt to contract fresh poultry supplies from Oman due to lower prices. Although the UAE federal government does not provide subsidies, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi gives domestic poultry producers a direct subsidy equal to approximately 25-30% of the value of select feed purchases. Seasonal Variation: Domestically produced poultry is generally marketed in the UAE as fresh or chilled. During summer months when tourism slows and UAE families travel outside the country, reduced consumer demand forces many producers to freeze a sizeable portion of their inventory despite the lower prices frozen product will receive in the market.