Challenges facing poultry production in Kuwait

Abstract

In Kuwait, poultry meat is popular and a major source of dietary protein. Despite the increase in local production, importation to Kuwait has increased, to cover the high local demand for poultry meat. Self-sufficiency has, however, reached 20% of the local demand for poultry meat. This is mainly due to the continuous rise in human population and an increased demand for poultry meat with an average of 75.3 kg/capita/yr from year 2000 to 2011. Conversely, local egg production reached 42000 tons in 2011 with self-sufficiency of 101%. The poultry industry in Kuwait depends on the import of major feed ingredients such as corn and soybean from Unite States of America (USA) and India. In addition, the industry imports one day old chicks for layer and broiler hatching from Europe. Therefore, any changes in the quality or price in Europe and USA will affect the local poultry industry in Kuwait. As a result, the major challenges facing the poultry industry in Kuwait include high production costs, improvements in production efficiency, health monitoring programmes, environmental impact, and changes in policies and trade practices in the country. Solutions to these challenges are discussed in this paper. It can be concluded that more development and improvement in poultry meat production is needed through technology transfer as well as research and development relative to local production. This can be done by working closely with the local scientific institutions and government organisations to enhance and develop the poultry sector's capability to reduce production cost and improve profit.