U.S. Poultry, Egg Exports Set New Records

By CnAgri Print

The value of U.S. poultry exports through the third quarter of 2012 set a new year-on-year record of more than $4 billion, while the quantity of poultry exported was only marginally lower than the all-time record set in 2008, according to data posted last week by the Foreign Agricultural Service.

American egg exports through the third quarter also set new records, fuelled by increased demand from Mexico and the European Union, reports the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.

Exports of poultry meat for January through September reached 3.04 million metric tons valued at $4.032 billion, up six and 14 percent, respectively, from the same period in 2011.

Cumulative exports of broiler meat (excluding chicken paws) through the third quarter hit 2.4 million tons valued at $3.1 billion, up six and 18 percent, respectively, setting year-on-year records.

The top markets for U.S. chicken were Mexico, 408,978 tons, up 21 percent; Russia, 206,923 tons; up 59 percent; Canada, 127,790 tons, up 23 percent; Angola, 123,135 tons, up 3 percent; and Cuba, 112,122 tons, up 82 percent.

Exports to other important markets were Iraq (including transshipments via Turkey) 99,005 tons, up slightly; Taiwan, 98,669 tons, up 26 percent; Hong Kong, 85,245 tons, down 54 percent; Kazakhstan, 74,095 tons, up almost four-fold; and China, 65,279 tons, up 43 percent.