The Dominican Republic is expected to consume 140 million chickens by the end of this year. The Dominican Republic consumption of poultry ranks it fifth in world consumption per capita. Poultry consumption has increased 40% this year, despite the effects of Hurricane Georges on production last year. As a result of the devastation caused by the hurricane, several poultry farms modernized their facilities. Some 10,000 Dominicans are employed by the poultry farms, that are estimated to generate RD$6,000 million in sales a year. In 1995, Dominicans consumed 64 million units of eggs per month. By 1998, egg consumption had increased to 100 million units. The increase in consumption of white meat and eggs also is due to the increase in tourists that demand large quantities of the product. 10% of the national production is exported to Haiti.
