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Madrid, July 1, 2022.- After the celebration of the II General Assembly of Associates of the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat (Avianza), last Tuesday, June 28, 2022, we want to convey to the public opinion some of the main conclusions reached, after a in-depth analysis of the current situation our sector is going through, as well as the serious and pressing problems that concern you. Avianza represents practically all the companies in the poultry sector, approximately 90%.

First of all, We want to point out that we do not share the messages that have appeared in recent days in some media about a possible shortage of poultry meat for consumers.. Although we respect the opinion of the different actors in the sector, and even though we are the first to confirm that there are serious problems that affect us, we believe that at this time alarmist news cannot be conveyed to the public opinion, which, in addition, can lead to greater problems. .

We are aware that all productive sectors of our country, also at a global level, We are suffering from the unaffordable increases in current energy costs, but to this it must be added in the specific case of meat-poultry sector, the very strong escalation of raw materials, wheat, barley, corn, soybeans... that we have been suffering from since the end of 2020.

Just some data: the cost of feed is approximately 70% of the total production costs of the poultry sector, The price of raw materials for feed formulation has increased by 100% in the last year and a half, a 50% since the war between Ukraine and Russia began at the end of last February, with the aggravating factor that both countries produce 30% of all world cereal production.

And this brutal cost increase It has barely been able to be passed on to our main clients, especially the Distribution channel (large stores), which represents 80% of all sales in our sector, with the poultry companies themselves having to assume the rest of the cost.

We consider that it is good for all economic operators in the poultry-meat sector that The Food Chain Law is respected, in all phases of the production process, in which not only are the poultry meat processing companies, but also, of course, all our integrated farmers and, of course, those who make our products available to final consumers, both Large Distribution, such as the Horeca Channel or operators in more traditional markets.

Otherwise, the companies represented in AVIANZA will continue to suffer significant losses that could condition its own viability. And at this point, we insist, we do not forget our associated farmers, an important part of the production process.

We ask that the value of the product be recognized what do we do, its contribution to the healthy diet of millions of people and its role as a generator of employment, as well as its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product of our country and, ultimately, its contribution to the sustainable well-being of the population.  

We want finally thank you for the support we receive from all Public Administrations, state, regional and local, among them, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which we allow ourselves to personalize in the Minister, Mr. Luis Planas. We know that the needs are infinite and the resources are limited, but we fully trust that we can count on your decisive support. A good example of this was the participation in the closing of the Assembly of Mr. Fernando Miranda, Secretary General of Agriculture and Food, whose assistance we especially appreciate. AVIANZA. Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat.

In relation to the information about “possible chicken shortages after the summer”:

AVIANZA shows its commitment to Spanish consumers and calls for the responsibility of all members of the food chain

Madrid, June 22, 2022.- From Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, which represents 90% of the production of chicken, turkey and quail meat in our country, we consider it necessary to call for the responsibility of the entire food chain to transfer confidence to Spanish consumers at a time, once again, of maximum tension in the market.

We represent the activity of more than 5,000 farms, 280 production centers, 120 slaughterhouses, as well as 65 integrating companies, which means more than 40,000 professionals linked to the sector directly and indirectly. A sector that integrates the activity of farmers, veterinarians, producers of raw materials, slaughterhouses, cutting and production centers, marketing companies, logistics, specialists in genetics, foreign trade, sustainability, innovation, etc.

Our mission has been and is to ensure the defense of a priority sector in the agricultural and livestock field of our country, where poultry meat is the most consumed in Spain, and which represented a volume of more than 1.4 million tons of poultry meat. produced in 2021.

Since March 2020, when the health crisis caused by the COVID19 pandemic and its economic and social consequences began, we have been one of the sectors hardest hit by the increase in raw materials for the production of feed, energy, transportation, measures additional health control measures, increase in supplies, war in Ukraine, transport strike, etc.

And at all times, our companies and professionals have maintained their activity to ensure the supply of poultry meat to consumers, even in the worst moments of confinement. We are, therefore, a responsible, committed sector that advocates constant cooperation, and we have done this despite the great difficulties that both the aforementioned professionals and the companies involved have had.

For this reason, as a poultry sector we have remained united to demand that both Spanish and European public administrations, as well as the distribution sector, the main marketer of our products, adopt measures to correspond to the great human and business efforts undertaken to maintain our production at all times.

It is necessary to advance in the weighting of public aid to a sector that, due to its weight, is undervalued, with items that do not correspond to our volume or importance in the economy. All this, within a constructive and at the same time firm dialogue with the administrations.

We have also asked the distribution channels for this responsibility, with the review of trade agreements that will adapt to the new macroeconomic situations, since the entire production chain, from genetics to breeding, through production, processing and marketing of the product She is exhausted after more than two years of continuous efforts.

Some data show the dimension of an unsustainable situation, since the reality and figures are alarming for everyone who is part of the production chain.

  • It has gone from a price of 36.2 euros/MWh to €289.62/MWh according to data from the Iberian Electricity Market Operator (OMIE). The cost of energy is key for farms, slaughterhouses, production centers, logistics and transportation, etc.
  • If we add to this that cereals have increased, we go from having an average feed cost of 300 euros/tonne over the last 5 years to more than 500 euros/tonne in 2022.
  • Likewise, of the production cost per kilo of chicken, 70% goes to the feed. These costs have been assumed by the integration companies with full responsibility to continue bringing poultry meat to the population. For example, the integrators have had a cost increase of 40% of costs since January 2022 and only 15.5 % has been passed on to them.

As we said, the poultry sector is made up of countless other actors such as genetic research, farm breeding, production or processing, marketing, labor, the plastic and cardboard sector, logistics, etc. All these branches are in critical condition.

We agree, and we convey this to all the agents involved in the sector, that compliance with the Chain Law is needed, but in real time and in a fair manner and for this to be the case we need responsibility on the part of the distribution to make a remuneration according to the increase in all these items.

As we said, the poultry sector as a whole is exhausted, with all companies assuming critical losses, but again, as on previous occasions, the union of all of us, as well as the common defense of our objectives, will be key to overcoming it. As an interprofessional that represents that 90% of the poultry sector, we reaffirm more than ever our commitment to work on it.

Therefore, and most importantly, we call for responsibility not to convey critical messages such as “possible shortages” to consumers, as they can generate even more uncertainty in an already tense social and economic situation. As an association, we represent the interests of the entire sector, and the integrating companies belonging to this interprofessional group convey their commitment to society to continue bringing the necessary product to their homes, while reiterating their willingness to continue collaborating to, in a united way, demand solutions and the necessary help so that our poultry sector is matched with the aid and necessary co-responsibility of the rest of the Food Chain.

Madrid, June 22, 2022.

Antonio Sánchez, president of Avianza / Jordi Montfort, Secretary General of Avianza.

  • The Interprofessional Organizations of the sector promote the Livestock-Meat Forum on two essential criteria: unity and a determined commitment to the country
  • At the presentation event, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, highlighted the Government's support for the livestock and meat sector "for providing quality food, boosting our exports and giving life to our rural environment."


June 2022. Acting in a coordinated manner to face current challenges, such as sustainability and climate change, digitalization and innovation or the demographic challenge and the structuring of rural Spain, are the strategic axes of the Livestock-Meat Forum, a new initiative of the six interprofessional organizations of the sector that were presented today at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with the participation of Minister Luis Planas.


In his speech, the person in charge of the Spanish agri-food sector highlighted that «Society has to know that it has in our livestock farmers, in the meat sector, one of the pillars by which it can feel calm», highlighting "the need to publicize their work and the progress they are making to produce sustainable food, respectful of the environment and animal welfare."


The minister has reiterated the Government's support for the livestock and meat sector «for providing quality food, boosting our exports and giving life to our rural environment," and in relation to EU promotion aid, he stated that he shares the sector's concern: «reducing support for meat in promotion without a prior discussion of the analyzes and context that lead to that decision is wrong. Spain will defend this position within the framework of the EU", it is finished.


"All the sectors we represent are united and committed to our country", stated in their interventions the presidents of Interporc, Manuel García, and of Interovic, Raúl Muñiz, on behalf of the six interprofessional organizations (Asici, Avianza, Intercun, Interovic, Interporc and Provacuno).


«We are determined to create a strong public-private collaboration to value our sectors and the work and dedication of the hundreds of thousands of professionals who work in them, not only for the social, economic and territorial value, which we already contribute, but also, and above all, for anticipating the challenges that society and the market demand of us. It is precisely this alliance that provides the best added value to this initiative", They have highlighted.


For this, the Livestock-Meat Forum, which was born with the motto «Building country», is committed to three fundamental objectives:

  1. Share with society the chain's efforts to be more sustainable and innovative hand in hand with economic development.
  2. Make visible the work and voice of Spanish municipalities.
  3. Develop truthful and transparent communication with the support of the scientific world.

And all this through the contributions of the sector to the Spanish economy, to the structuring of rural Spain and the establishment of the population, to sustainability and digitalization, innovation and development.


The Spanish livestock-meat sector is a net generator of opportunities for our country: it creates quality jobs, energizes the territories where it is established and, thanks to the export vocation, it is promoting the Spain brand throughout the world. And all this, without losing the essence of the sector of protecting the territory and the environment, among other reasons, because its own existence depends on it.


The Forum responds to the desire of the livestock-meat chain to promote all advances in sustainability and the efforts and resources
intended to reduce the environmental impact, advance the circularity of productions and move towards environmental neutrality and the promotion of a more sustainable environment through significant economic investments, innovation and talent.


At the same time, the Forum also wants to publicize the important efforts made by the chain and the companies that make up it to address a deep integration of digitalization and innovation processes in the productive processes of the sector.


The Forum also aims to become, through the Municipal Livestock-Meat Network, the main defender of the economic and social activities that have allowed the survival of many cities and towns in rural areas. Its purpose is to establish meeting points that make visible the important work of the chain to face the demographic and economic challenges that the country must face, and promote public-private collaboration between city councils and the sector.


And finally, the Forum aims to provide quality information on the challenges and actions of the livestock-meat chain. biased information,
interested and directed has recently become a serious problem that affects the public sector and the markets alike. The
The contribution of the Forum will be transparency and the incorporation of the world of science and research into the social debate as the best means of
knowledge about the meat-livestock chain and its productions.


The presentation event of the Forum included the holding of two expert panels on "Sustainability and Digitalization" and "The channel's bets on the demographic, generational challenge and equality", moderated by journalists Íñigo Inchusta and Elisa Plumed, with the participation of Manuel Lainez (innovation and sustainability consultant), Carlos Piñeiro (information management systems in livestock), Francesc Boya (General Secretary of Demographic Challenge), Margarita Rico (professor-researcher at the University of Valladolid) and Lucía Velasco (livestock representative).


Link to the Forum presentation: https://youtu.be/m7HjmGH0tgU

Website: www.forogc.es


The Livestock-Meat chain
To correctly situate the enormous social and economic significance of the livestock-meat chain, we must refer to the millions of families in our country whose life and development is directly linked to livestock production, industry and meat marketing. More than 2 million people depend on this activity in Spain, from farmers who grow cereals and forage to feed livestock, through the feed manufacturing industry, livestock farmers, meat industries, the animal health industry, veterinary professionals, the livestock and meat logistics and transport sector, auxiliary industries (agricultural machinery, livestock facilities, facilities for industry, cold, etc.), organized distribution (supermarket and hypermarket chains) and specialized retail distribution (butcher shops-delicatessens).


Livestock activity is carried out on more than 350,000 farms throughout the country and more than half of our activity is located in municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants. Livestock farming directly employs more than half a million people and the meat industries and retail trade another 200,000 employees. Livestock farming contributes 16,500 million euros to Final Agricultural Production, while the turnover of the meat industry amounts to 31,727 million (28.5% of the entire agri-food industrial sector), with 9,107 million euros of exports in 2021 contributed to the country's trade balance.

More information:
Jose Manuel Alvarez
Interprofessional Platform Coordinator
Livestock-Meat
[email protected]
646 65 28 46

Within the Meat Week that was held coinciding with Meat Attraction, the International Fair for the Meat Industry, AVIANZA, together with the interprofessional organizations ASICI, INTERCUN, INTEROVIC, INTERPORC and PROVACUNO, have collaborated with the Messengers of Peace Foundation by providing dishes made with meat products to contribute to the important solidarity activity headed by Father Ángel. 

From March 7 to 12, different dishes of rabbit, beef, lamb and poultry, Iberian ham sandwiches and white pork sausages, prepared by the cooks and cutters of the Foundation, were served at the solidarity tables of the Foundation's solidarity dining room. six organizations from the Spanish meat sector. 

Messengers of Peace, founded in Asturias in 1962 by Father Ángel García Rodríguez, currently has numerous social programs, as well as areas of training, childhood, women, seniors, immigration, etc., and close management of a hundred nursing homes in different parts of Spain. All focused on improving the social and living conditions of the most disadvantaged citizens. 

After the launch of the indefinite strike last Monday in the road freight transport sector in Spain, Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, which brings together 90% of companies in the sector, sees with great concern how this situation is critically affecting both poultry breeding and product distribution in the supermarket channel of our country. .  

In a sector in which time is a vital factor, access to feed is key to raising birds and closing production times at the right time. The variation in days can pose a serious problem for both animal welfare and bird management on farms, with more than 46 million chickens produced each month, 1.5 million each day. Avianza represents more than 5,000 production farms, which currently do not have the arrival of feed and other resources guaranteed.  

Due to the characteristics of poultry meat, the exit of the birds to the production centers and, subsequently, to the shelves of markets, supermarkets and the HORECA channel is also critical. Not having agile transportation corridors implies a serious problem for the conservation chain, as well as for the supply of distribution channels to meet the demand of the population.   

That is why at Avianza we urge the State Administrations, transport associations and organizations involved to take measures to ensure adequate minimum services and the guarantee of being able to carry out crucial work for feeding the population.  

MADRID, November 10, 2021

This last quarter, the United Arab Emirates is having a more Spanish aroma than ever thanks to the campaign #MEgustaPoultry launched by AVIANZA, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, in collaboration with ICEX Spain Export and investments, to give visibility and promote poultry meat in the Middle East, one of the priority markets of its internationalization plan.

The objective is to show distributors, the restaurant sector and consumers some of the values associated with the Spanish poultry industry, as an international benchmark for its capacity for innovation, transformation and adaptation to new challenges in terms of healthy eating and nutrition. After months of preparation, this campaign begins in Dubai combining digital actions on social networks, promotion in local media and actions on the ground, where the aim is to highlight the quality of Spanish poultry meat, the nutritional properties of this type of product and trust. in the production companies of our country.

Influencers and chefs support Spanish poultry meats

AVIANZA's #MEgustaPoultry campaign, which started in September, consists of various actions to bring poultry meat closer to both the general public and national cooks and chefs. The first of these has been the campaignBack to school in which there has been the collaboration of 3 renowned Influencers in the UAE: the gastronomy editor of Harpers Bazaar Arabia and chef Dalia Dogmoch, the blogger Homam Ayaso of The Gastronaut and the chef Suad Shamma, who have prepared several dishes using as a base chicken, turkey and quail and, in which more than 120 thousand people have been reached so far.  

This action is also supported by the best chefs in our country who work there, such as the renowned Asturian chef Mariano Andres, responsible for ten restaurants in Dubai. He will be in charge of carrying out the training for cooks and chefs of the country in the three sessions that will be held during the months of October and November at SCAFA, The School of Culinary And Finishing Arts in Dubai. Andrés will also champion Spanish Week with a tribute to Spanish poultry farming on the menu of one of his restaurants, Seville's, during the third week of November.

Finally, the television chef Vineet Bathia and John Faver, chef de cuisine at the Sur, restaurant at the Westin Dubai Hotel, will be in charge of cooking a four-hands dinner at the Paella Event which will be attended by personalities, media and officials from the Dubai food sector.

The #MEgustaPoultry campaign has, in addition to the support of ICEX, the backing of the Foods & Wines From Spain brand and the use of the Poultry From Spain quality seal.

AVIANZA and ICEX, a long-term agreement

After the signing of the collaboration agreement between the two entities and the subsequent definition of dissemination, training and promotion actions for poultry products, the #MEgustaPoultry campaign represents the beginning of the development of a series of activities that seek to increase the business figures of the poultry sector, which reaches a turnover of 2.3 billion euros per year and has more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs.

For Jordi Montfort, secretary general of the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, “This campaign is the first step to publicize the wealth of the Spanish poultry meat sector, and the possibility of consolidating the necessary process of international expansion of our producers, in a market as attractive as that of the United Arab Emirates."

By ICEX, Maria Naranjo, director of the Food Industry, has shown her satisfaction with the launch of this promotional campaign that, through market diversification, highlights the Spanish poultry sector with products of excellence. “The Middle East is a strategic region and the United Arab Emirates is the best destination to serve as a visibility platform for the extensive range of products that are being worked on in the gourmet section under the Poultry from Spain brand”.

Tribune of Antonio Sánchez, President of Propollo, for the 20th Anniversary Special of AgroNegocios magazine.

20 years ago, when he was born AgroBusiness, many of us face “new challenges for new times” under the headlines of the passing of a century and a millennium. And although some of us are part of a generation that has lived through several transitions, from politics to economics, we had to address a new transition focused on technology and globalization.

Today, everything we had learned, all the challenges we had been overcoming, have become the essential tools to face a new scenario that we have to redraw together due to this crisis. And I want to do it optimistically, but also critically.

I have the honor of representing the poultry sector, which has been an example of this journey of resilience over the years, and which has always responded with responsibility, talent and innovation.

During the toughest moments of the pandemic, many spotlights were pointed at us, aware of our role as an industry supplier of such an essential product in the citizens' basket.

Agribusiness

Millions of birds reached consumers in March thanks to the efforts of thousands of families throughout Spain, who They deserve special recognition, united by an impressive feeling of solidarity.

Today our sector represents an industry recognized for the quality of its products, for the ability of its facilities to adapt to the demanding national and international health regulations, for a logistics network that allows more than 1,600,000 tons of chicken, turkey and other meat to be placed birds anywhere in the national geography.

Our professionals have supported part of this necessary transformation in training, digitalization and the new, more collaborative work formalities. Today we are also a more diverse industry, committed to the environment and energy efficiency, and which proudly displays its policies on animal welfare.

WE ARE ALONE AGAIN

But we face this crisis with some not so positive aspects, although it is up to us to provide the answers. The first point is the correlation between our consideration as an essential activity and economic engine with the support we receive. European and national public administrations have repeatedly postponed solutions for a sector that represents 23% of meat consumption in this country, with a wealth generation of more than 2.3 billion euros annually, and for which The fall of the Horeca and tourism sector can mean losses of more than 600 million euros. And we are alone again, without any help or support.

The second point is found in our ability to export. The quality seal of Spanish chicken will allow us to open new markets, but we are doing so at one of the worst times, with pressure in the form of low-cost prices from countries protected by agreements that are currently out of context. The cohesion and responsibility of the entire distribution and restaurant chain is more necessary than ever to respond not only to the sector, but also to consumers, with what they expect from us: product and service.

But let's get back to the essence of this article: hope. In times like this we make our commitment available to society. We open new spaces to share experiences around a product that is so social and linked to our emotions.

Eating chicken has been linked to our confinement and also to de-escalation. It will be in our backpacks when we resume walks with our children in the countryside, at dinners during a summer as strange as this one, or at the family celebration that we return to after a long time, with a good chicken on the table.

It is linked to our Mediterranean diet, versatile, genuine and at the same time exquisite to be an icon of our most prestigious chefs. Therefore, in addition to congratulating AgroNegocios for this 20th anniversary, I join in a greater celebration. Confidence in facing a new decade in a new normal.