For Immediate Release
International Production & Processing Expo
Tucker, Ga. - January 27, 2026

Latin American Poultry Summit 2026 Highlights Poultry Protein as a Pillar of Food Security and Innovation

The 2026 Latin American Poultry Summit brought together industry leaders, experts and innovators under the motto “Poultry Protein, we can’t live without it,” highlighting the essential role of poultry as the most accessible and sustainable source of protein across the region. The program focused on strategic decision-making to strengthen modern poultry production in Latin America amid evolving economic, social and technological challenges.

The Summit opened with a CEO Roundtable featuring Lorenzo Martín, El Gran Chaparral, Mexico, and Juan Felipe Montoya, Huevos Kikes, Colombia, and moderated by Mauricio Sanabria, Hy-Line International, Colombia. Both leaders, representing multigenerational family businesses, discussed challenges such as diseases, informal markets, transportation infrastructure, generational succession and the urgent need to communicate better with consumers to build confidence and bridge the gap between rural producers and urban areas.

Further discussions highlighted poultry management as both a critical risk and opportunity, citing examples such as avian influenza spread linked to poor manure handling in Mexico and the use of biodigesters in Colombia to produce methane for transportation. Speakers emphasized the importance of sustainability, egg product development for export and the continued growth in per capita egg consumption (400 eggs in Mexico, 375 in Colombia and rising numbers in Brazil) highlighting eggs as the most affordable protein across all social and economic sectors.

Other presentations focused on key technical challenges in poultry production. Bianca Martins of Alltech, Mexico, discussed mycotoxins in Latin America, highlighting their impact on feed conversion and noting vomitoxin as the most prevalent mycotoxin in corn across Mexico and parts of Central and South America. Dr. Carlos Martínez of DCL Mexico discussed intestinal integrity, explaining how imbalances in gut microorganisms affect productivity, and José Ramírez of Anitox addressed Salmonella control in feed mills, emphasizing common contamination risks and modern testing technology.

The Summit also covered environmental management and industry communication. Cristabel Huerta of Hato Lighting explained how light spectrum and photoperiod influence bird behavior and performance, offering practical examples from poultry farms. The event concluded with Mauricio Simental of Bachoco, Mexico, who shared how the company strengthened consumer engagement through effective communication and branding.

About IPPE
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).

About AFIA
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), based in Arlington, Va., is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization's membership is comprised of more than 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry-manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

About the Meat Institute
The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute's hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit MeatInstitute.org.

About USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

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(Left to right) Lorenzo Martín, El Gran Chaparral, Mexico; Juan Felipe Montoya, Huevos Kikes, Colombia; and Mauricio Sanabria, Hy-Line Latin America, speaking at the 2026 Latin American Poultry Summit.