Meat&Poultry - January 2012 - 38

INTERNATIONAL TRADE OUTLOOK

but how much?” he asks. “And how much push-back will there be from countries that are importing our leg quarters? We can fi nd some reason for optimism that even higher prices will not severely cause US chicken leg quarters to slip this year.” One disadvantage the US has on whole-bird exports is global consumers prefer a smaller, whole-carcass bird and
Roenigk

of communications, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. Poultry is the best value among livestock meat proteins, with a feed conversion of 2:1, compared to 3:1 for pork and 6:1 for feedlot beef, he adds. Poultry is the only meat protein with no religion-based consumption restrictions, as long as birds are slaughtered in accordance with religious requirements, Moore says. Price is a driver. US poultry, particularly chicken, currently has a cost

sia will accede to the WTO early this year and if PNTR for Russia is not granted, this means that Russia is not obliged to abide by WTO rules when trading with the US,” Moore says.

Turkey exports increasing
US turkey exports, especially turkey parts and dark meat products, are an increasingly important aspect of US turkey production, says Adrienne Richards, public relations manager, National Turkey Federation. In 2010, 583 million lbs. of turkey (including whole birds and parts) were exported. Mexico continues to be the number-one export market for

US chicken tends to be

larger sized, Roenigk says. But those markets can take a bigger chicken and have been able to do that – and it helps

Tu rk ey
“As for exports, the turkey industry has much room to grow in the global marketplace.”
advantage over all other producers, including Brazil, which is the chief competitor to the US. The biggest challenge for US chicken exports is getting a favorable outcome on the US industry’s antidumping cases in China, Mexico and South Africa, as China and Mexico are very important export markets. US industry is hopeful it can maintain its disease-free status to avoid import restrictions, he says. “We hope Congress repeals the Jackson-Vanik amendment, and grants Permanent Normal Trade Relations [PNTR] to Russia,” he adds. “Rus-

growth, he adds. US chicken export demand is climbing due to the growing middle class in many countries, such as China and South Korea. NCC and industry are working with the US government to launch an initiative with the government of India, which also has a growing middle class, Roenigk says. Some feel t he US shou ld i nvest i n exporting more prepared
Richards

turkey meat. “Exports now comprise more than 10 percent of total turkey production, compared with 1.2 percent in 1990,” Richards says. “With domestic turkey consumption relatively fl at during the last decade, a significant amount of our business growth will continue to be overseas.” Nevertheless, US domestic and global turkey demand is still outstripping supply, says USAPEEC’s Moore. Demand for ground turkey in further processing domestically has taken product away from the export channels, causing shortages of supplies for meat processing, he adds. Global demand is also increasing dramatically for turkey breast meat. Balancing supply and demand will remain a challenge, particularly with rising domestic and export demand for products such as ground thigh trim pushing prices higher. “As for exports, the turkey industry has much room to grow in the global marketplace,” Moore concludes. ■
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products, such as chicken nuggets or prepared

entrées. While there is some growth there, it is not the big-ticket item, and it is not where the tonnage is, he adds. After 2012, industry will see furtherprocessed products begin to grow, he predicts. Global chicken and turkey consumption is increasing, particularly in some of the largest consuming countries, such as China and Mexico, along with developing countries, such as Vietnam and countries in Africa, says Toby Moore, vice president

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