LA DISTRIBUCIÓN DE CARNE AVÍCOLA CRECE UN 25% EN MARZO

Madrid concentrated a demand of more than 410 tons in two days (March 10 and 11), while Catalonia and Andalusia grew above 10% in their first week of confinement

MADRID, April 2, 2020. The Interprofessional Association of Poultry Farming of Chicken Meat (Propollo: www.propollo.es), which brings together more than 65 associated companies throughout Spain, has analyzed the evolution of demand for chicken, turkey and other birds in the distribution channel during the first weeks of March, the first month of the coronavirus incidence in our country.

According to data from its associates, since the beginning of the closure of schools and educational centers, first in Madrid (March 11), and until March 27, The sale of this type of meat in distribution channels has increased nationally by 25% (large and medium-sized stores, hypermarkets, and retailers) with respect to the previous usual volume, which was around 24,000 mt per week.

In total they have been placed in supermarkets more than 6,000 extra tons in the week of March 9 to 15, by 3,600tm in the week of March 16 to 22, and has normalized again in the week of March 23 to 29. This represents increases of 25% and 15%, respectively in the first two weeks. On the other hand, turkey also saw increases in distribution demand without affecting the normal production rate.

The general increase in demand in distribution was accompanied by a drastic reduction of the HORECA channel (Hospitality, Restaurants and Cafes) to zero, so direct sales points to consumers have absorbed this production, which has been responded to normally from the sector.

Total, Propollo brings together more than 65 companies, with more than 5,000 farms and production centers, 281 cutting and processing plants, and directly employs more than 40,000 professionals, representing the 90% of the sector.

Madrid and Catalonia lead the way in consumption

By autonomous communities, Madrid, the first to adopt measures to close schools, registered a demand of more than 410 MT only on March 10 and 11, which represents an increase in 15%, which has risen to the national average of 25% in the period analyzed. In the first week of general confinement, Catalonia recorded a peak demand with 13.8% (470 Tm); Meanwhile in Andalusia It was 10% (520 MT). These two communities are the ones that consume the most poultry meat.

For Jordi Montfort, Secretary General of Propollo and spokesman for the Association, “The sector keeps all its production centers active and is currently committed to the health of workers to continue with normal supply to the market, where a stabilization of the demand curve is expected for the month of April. The management team is in permanent contact with the Public and Health Administrations to inform the sector of the different changes in the guidelines, being one of the industries with the highest demands and standards in terms of biosafety for all personnel.”

Consumer recommendations

Propollo thanks the professionals and production companies, as well as the entire distribution chain, for their involvement and commitment at this time. And some recommendations are made for consumers:

Respect the lockdown and make the fewest trips abroad.
Opt for home delivery through reference companies to the extent possible.
Do not accumulate unnecessarily excess food stock, although you can make a planned purchase based on the storage conditions you have in your home to avoid unnecessary trips.
Follow basic rules of hygiene and disinfection of hands and surfaces, as well as food handling areas in the kitchen to avoid cross contamination (cooked foods/raw foods).
Cook food and respect their conservation times once cooked.