Overview
- IERAL’s rolling 12-month measure for August 2025–July 2026 shows per-capita chicken consumption at 47.0 kg and beef at 46.7 kg, marking the first time chicken leads that series.
- Price shifts drove the change: one kilo of beef cost about as much as 3.6 kilos of whole chicken and beef rose about 13.3% in real terms while chicken and pork fell roughly 4%.
- Domestic beef availability fell to 46.2 kg per person between September 2025 and August 2026 as production dropped from 69 to 64.6 kg per person and slaughter fell 8.8%, shrinking supply for local buyers.
- Export demand raised returns for the sector, with beef export revenues reaching a record USD 4,729 million for the 12 months to August as export volumes and prices rose.
- Retailers report more poultry buying driven by promotions and price sensitivity, and analysts warn the shift could reshape the industry if producers continue to hold breeding females and export pressure keeps local supplies tight.