Pollos El Bucanero, a Colombian poultry producer owned by U.S.-based agribusiness corporation Cargill, has broken into the Japanese market with an initial shipment of two containers totaling over 25 metric tons of chicken, according to chief executive Gilberto Guzmán.
Cargill Expansion and Export Strategy in Colombia
While the initial volume is small compared to domestic production, the company has set a target of shipping 50 containers over the next 12 months. The push aligns with renewed interest from the Colombian government to leverage agricultural exports as an economic lever, alongside market exploration efforts led by the national poultry federation, Fenavi.
Cargill acquired Pollos El Bucanero in 2017 and subsequently purchased Campollo in 2018, establishing a production footprint across Colombia with three processing plants. Fenavi data based on flock placement indicates that Pollos El Bucanero holds a 12% to 13% market share, positioning it as the second-largest poultry producer in Colombia. Domestically, the company operates within a robust market where annual per capita chicken consumption reaches 37.8 kilograms.
Targeting New Global Markets Beyond Japan
Following its entry into Japan, Pollos El Bucanero is actively evaluating additional international destinations. Guzmán confirmed that the company has visited the Middle East, secured halal certification, and is exploring opportunities in Africa and the Caribbean. Additionally, the company is eyeing the United States market—which currently remains closed to Colombian chicken—citing potential regulatory alignment between Washington and Bogotá that could alter market access in the short to medium term.
