Zootecnica International - World Poultry Journal

Exports of US broiler meat, excluding chicken paws, rose 18% in 2008 from 2007 to a record quantity of 3.2 mln mt.

Additionally, the value of chicken meat hit a record of US$3.5 bln. This is an increase of 28%, according to the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.

It is reported that the top 3 markets for US broilers, being Russia, China, and Mexico, imported 46% of the total volume. This is down from 52% in 2007. Export volume increased 12% to China and 27% to Mexico, but dropped 4% to Russia.

Broiler meat export prices increased about 6% in the second half of 2008 compared to the first half.

Turkey meat

Exports of turkey meat from the US also reached record highs, with volume up 24% in 2008 to 306,787 mt due to an increase in demand from Mexico and China. Export value rose 21% to US$481.9 million.