CPA moves to increase Caricom poultry, egg production

The Caribbean Poultry Association (CPA) is advancing its strategic plan to expand and diversify the poultry industry across Caricom, with targets set to boost broiler meat production by 200,000 tonnes by 2045.
This was revealed at its 46th meeting on October 9, 2025. Chairman Hamant Mahabir and the Board of Directors reaffirmed their commitment to growing the sector, noting that the industry recorded a 3% growth in 2024 and is projected to achieve a further 5% increase in 2025. Annual output is expected to reach 340,000 tonnes, accounting for 80% of Caricom’s poultry consumption in 2024.

The incremental gains benefit all industry stakeholders, including small, medium, and large operators in the grain, broiler, breeder, egg, feed, and value-added product sectors, as well as a wide range of input and service providers.
To strengthen the region’s food and nutrition security, the Board praised the successful execution of the CPA’s Eighth International Technical Symposium and Exhibition, held in Jamaica from May 13–15, 2025. The event drew over 200 regional and international delegates and was widely lauded for technical presentations on innovations within the poultry industry.
Through these symposia, alongside the development of farming guidelines, targeted training programmes, and an expanding digital footprint, the CPA continues to engage stakeholders and advocate for policy support and a responsive regulatory framework reflecting the evolving dynamics of the regional agricultural market.
In 2024, the CPA commissioned an independent study on the socio-economic impact of Jamaica’s poultry industry, presented by Ernst and Young Services Limited at the Symposium. The report confirmed that traditional GDP measures underestimate agriculture’s full value.
The sector provides livelihoods for approximately 392,000 people, contributes J$62.6 billion in wages, and has a total economic impact of J$300 billion. Poultry accounts for 85% of Jamaica’s livestock output, with small and contract farmers responsible for 40% of production. Notably, a 1% rise in broiler production increases GDP per capita by 2.6%.
The CPA’s 2025 Board also expressed appreciation to Caricom Ministers of Agriculture for endorsing further independent studies on the poultry industry in other member states, and for supporting the Caricom Regional Standard for Poultry and Poultry Products, ensuring food safety in retail markets.
The Board highlighted achievements among its members, including Best-Dressed Chicken of Jamaica Broilers Group winning Farmer of the Year at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis (September 29–October 3, 2025), following last year’s award to Jamaica’s CB Group.
Despite challenges such as import competition, supply chain issues, and rising costs, the CPA continues to pursue its targets under the Caricom 25 by 2025+5 Initiative. Now in its 25th year, the Association has been a key driver in building a world-class agro-industry that delivers affordable, widely consumed animal protein, with regional poultry meat consumption averaging 52 kg per person annually.
Recent member initiatives include: Guyana: Expanded soybean cultivation to meet 30% of domestic feed needs; increased broiler and table egg production with tunnel ventilated housing. Barbados: New animal feed mill commissioned; increased production and processing capacity. Belize: New tunnel ventilated housing for breeders; self-sufficient in grain, broiler meat, and eggs. Jamaica: New Air Chill plant with 12,000 birds/hour capacity; investments in sustainable energy; expanding intra-regional exports of value-added poultry products. Suriname: Developing advanced climate control technology for brooding chicks. Trinidad and Tobago: New animal feed mill; additional tunnel ventilated houses stocked with 45,000 birds each.
The CPA continues to lead efforts to grow the poultry industry across the region, ensuring sustainable production, improved livelihoods, and greater food security for Caricom nations.