Newcastle eradication in Colombia would cost US$250 million

Andrés Valencia, president of the National Federation of Poultry Producers of Colombia (Fenavi), told Caracol radio network that "the government has asked for a national plan to eradicate Newcastle disease. It is a plan that should be at least for 15 years. We have estimated the cost of the plan to execute the disease should be about US$250 million. We have asked the government to include the plan to eradicate Newcastle disease into the national development plan that is being discussed for the four-year period of 2014-2018, with the beginning of the new period of this re-elected government."
On the other hand, the Fenavi representative said that imports, especially from the United States, are between 35,000 and 40,000 metric tons. According to Valencia, that only accounts for 3 percent of domestic consumption, but he admits that this figure could change. "So far, the [free trade agreement] with the U.S. has not posed a threat to poultry producers in the country, but remember that this FTA is for life and market conditions are constantly evolving. Today, we can say that we are calm, but later we could not say the same. "
The spokesman added that the poultry industry expects to close with total sales in excess of COP8.5 billion (US$4,250 million). "With this, perhaps it is the largest agricultural sector in Colombia today. The evolution of prices has been favorable, especially for eggs. Egg prices have increased almost on par with inflation (projected at a 6 percent annual rate)." For the closing of 2014, chicken production in Colombia could register a growth of 4 percent with production at 1.3 million metric tons.

No Colombian municipality is without chicken or eggs

Andrés Valencia, chief executive officer of Fenavi Colombia, said that soon Colombians will consume more eggs than beef. 
Under a new format of four discussion panels moderated by well-known Colombian journalists about exports, smuggling, urban pressure and public policy, the 17th National Poultry Congress and Expo started October 1, organized by the National Federation of Poultry Producers (Fenavi) in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. It was here in Cartagena that 20 years ago the National Poultry Fund (Fonav) was created.
Colombia is a country that produced 1.275 million metric tons of chicken and 11,000 million eggs a year, with a per capita consumption of 27.1 kg and 236 units, respectively.
The Congress slogan "Poultry industry: The industry that feeds Colombia" is very relevant, because the Colombian poultry industry produces more than 2 million tons of animal protein per year. It has become so important, that these figures are getting closer for the average Colombian to soon consume more eggs than beef.
Andrés Valencia, chief executive officer of Fenavi of Colombia, in his opening speech said that the poultry industry is sustaining feed grains producers and driving the packaging industry. He described the poultry industry as the locomotive (the driving force) of the agricultural sector. He estimated the value of the industry is COP8 trillion (US$4 billion).
But being productive is not synonymous with being competitive. Colombia faces dependence on the international grain markets, lack of infrastructure to transport raw materials and finished products, and excessive regulations. Regarding the first obstacle, the Free Trade Agreement with the United States has been crucial, because now more than 2 million metric tons of corn enter the country without tariffs. That is why Valencia emphasized "that access to raw materials should not be hindered, like in Venezuela," a country with which Colombia faces the serious problem of the smuggling of 1,500 metric tons of chicken and 1 million eggs per month. Colombia also has the same problem with Ecuador, albeit minor.
Valencia also specified that "Colombia is called to be an agricultural world power and a food pantry for the world, because today Colombia ranks 23rd of 223 nations that can afford to expand their agricultural area without affecting the natural conservation area."

Andrés Valencia named president of the Colombia Poultry Producers Federation

Andrés Rafael Valencia has been named CEO of the National Federation of Poultry Producers of Colombia.

Andrés Rafael Valencia will serve as CEO of the National Federation of Poultry Producers of Colombia (Fenavi), effective November 5. He replaces Andrés Fernando Moncada, who held the position until October 18 after nearly two years of outstanding management.
The new CEO of Fenavi is an economist at the Universidad de Los Andes and for many years has been involved in the agricultural sector, both in public and private levels. He has been the general manager for Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), an international consultant for five years for the Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, an international negotiator of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of this Andean nation, a negotiator of the Colombia Trade Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and an advisor to the Council for Foreign Trade of Colombia.
Valencia was business manager of the Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia from January 2011 until October 2013. He has extensive experience in union issues, agricultural health issues and openness of international markets. "In addition to his extensive career, Andres Valencia knows in depth the poultry industry, its challenges and its perspectives, allowing him to get the support of the board to work hand-in-hand to achieve the goals we have set," said Jorge Alberto Quintero, executive chairman of the Board of Fenavi.

US, Colombia poultry industries announce quota auction for US chicken

Organizations representing the U.S. and Colombian poultry industries have announced the first quota auction for sales of U.S. chicken leg quarters to Colombia as part of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council and Colombia’s Federación Nacional de Avicultores have launched a dedicated website to handle all sales transactions for the quota, which is 6,750 metric tons for the remainder of 2012. Bids open at 9 a.m. EDT on October 4, and close on October 5, at 5 p.m. EDT. Quota shipments are allowed to enter Colombia at zero duty, and the shipment period is October 10 through December 31.
TRQ (tariff-rate quota) Certificates will be awarded to the highest bidder(s). Any person or entity incorporated or domiciled, with a legal address, in the U.S. is eligible to bid. The minimum bid quantity is 1 metric ton; the minimum bid price is $44.08/metric ton (i.e., $0.02/pound). Bids must be submitted in dollars and cents per metric ton. Bids should not be submitted in amounts that include fractions of a cent.

Baiada Poultry wins inaugural IPC branded marketing award

Australian company Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd. was presented with the International Poultry Council (IPC)'s first branded marketing award.
The Federacion Nacional de Avicultores de Colombia (FENAVI), the Colombian Poultry Federation, won the IPC's inaugural generic marketing award.
The winners of the as-yet unnamed awards were chosen during the IPC's annual meeting in Santiago, Chile. Baiada's marketing campaign focused on dispelling myths about hormone usage in commercial chicken, while FENAVI highlighted its campaign to increase Colombia's consumption of chicken.