Avian flu causes losses of more than 223,000 USD in Honduras

Honduras' poultry sector reports losses exceeding L6 million following the avian flu alert. (Photo: SENASA)Honduras' poultry sector has faced losses exceeding 6 million lempiras as a consequence of the alert generated by the detection of avian flu on a farm and in wild birds, reported Juan José Cruz, representative of the Federation of Poultry Farmers of Honduras (Fedavih). According to Cruz, the presence of the disease represented a significant impact for national producers, who had to face the sanitary and economic consequences derived from the alert. This situation was compounded by other difficulties already affecting the productive sector, including limited access to financing. The Fedavih representative explained that producers' economic conditions were also affected by the severe drought that has hit the country. This scenario complicated access to resources to maintain and strengthen productive activities, at a time when the industry also had to respond to the consequences of the sanitary alert. Egg production remains guaranteed despite the economic impact of avian flu. (Photo: AI-generated image)Despite the losses recorded, Cruz assured that the poultry industry maintains its production capacity and that the supply of food for the national market is guaranteed. Domestic consumption reflects the importance of this activity for the feeding of Hondurans. According to data provided by Fedavih, Honduras consumes approximately 2 million eggs and more than 400 million pounds of chicken meat per year. The sector representative maintained that the available production allows maintaining the supply of both products, despite the economic impact caused by the detection of the disease. The situation has also led producers to maintain their efforts to expand commercial opportunities outside Honduras. Honduras consumes around 2 million eggs per year, according to Fedavih data. (Photo: Courtesy)The poultry sector continues working on opening international markets, with the aim of placing its products in other countries and strengthening the industry's growth possibilities. Cruz noted that, of the four markets the sector had planned in the region, three would already be available, while Guatemala remains pending incorporation. The opening of new destinations represents one of the industry's main objectives, especially after the difficulties the sector has faced in the national market. For producers, expanding marketing options would allow diversifying sales and generating new opportunities for Honduran poultry production. The industry leader also reported that work continues to promote a larger-scale project, whose execution they hope to carry out during the first quarter of next year. The initiative is part of the sector's efforts to strengthen the activity and generate better conditions for producers. The poultry industry guarantees the supply of chicken meat for the national market. (Photo: REUTERS)The avian flu alert represents one of the main recent challenges for Honduran poultry farming, due to its economic effects and the need to maintain prevention measures to protect production units. However, Fedavih maintains that the impact recorded so far has not prevented guaranteeing the supply of the main poultry products in the country. The organization also continues its efforts to expand export markets and strengthen an industry that represents an important source of food for Honduran consumers. As the sector seeks to recover from losses exceeding L6 million, producers also face the challenge of improving their access to financing and coping with adverse weather conditions. In parallel, efforts to enable new markets continue as part of the strategy to strengthen Honduran poultry production.