Guatemala - Animal husbandry

Consumption of dairy products and meat is low, despite improvements in stock raising and dairying. The wool industry in the western highlands supplies the famed Guatemalan weavers. Hog and poultry production is ample for domestic consumption. In 2001, there were 2,500,000 head of cattle, 763,000 hogs, 245,000 sheep, 120,000 horses, and 24,000,000 chickens. Guatemala exports poultry, with 144,000 tons of poultry meat and 82,500 tons of eggs produced in 2001. Total cattle numbers continue to fall despite increased illegal imports from Honduras and a decline in illegal exports to Mexico. Depressed beef prices and rising production costs are the main causes of this trend.