WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 3 -- The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has just released the first report in its new IFC Global Agribusiness Series. The series will explore industry trends and competitiveness issues in the increasingly globalized agribusiness sector. It also draws on IFC's experience in project financing to highlight developing countries as competitive production bases and fast-growing markets.
The first report on The World Poultry Industry is written by Richard Henry and Graeme Rothwell of IFC's Agribusiness Department. It underlines the tremendous productivity gains achieved by the poultry industry over the last decades, making poultry meat one of the least expensive sources of animal protein as well as one of the most popular. According to the report, world consumption is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, particularly in developing countries.
The report points out that while certain developing countries will be competitive for years to come and will be able to take advantage of expanding markets, the poultry trade in other countries could become constrained by environmental concerns and higher costs.
"IFC has supported the growth of the poultry industry through its financing of 21 projects in 13 developing countries," said Mr. Karl Voltaire, Director of IFC's Agribusiness Department. "Poultry production is an efficient way to produce affordable animal protein, which is increasingly in demand in low- and middle-income countries. The poultry trade also has major benefits to small farmers who are associated with the processing industry".
IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is the largest multilateral source of equity and loan financing for private sector projects in developing countries.
