The U.S. experienced a record amount of broiler exports in 2007 and the strength continues in to 2008. Broiler exports for February totaled 507 million pounds, or 12% over a year ago. The continued U.S. currency weakness has helped make U.S. broiler meat attractive to countries such as China, Russia, and members of the Commonwealth Independent Staes.

U.S. broiler exports are expected to reach 1.4 billion pounds for the 1st quarter of 2008 and for 2008 are forecast to reach 6 billion pounds, 4% above 2007 and another record high.

The continued strength in U.S. broiler exports along with expected reductions in broiler production has helped reduce USDA's 1st quarter cold storage estimates, but they still were 26% higher than 2007. The strong U.S. broiler export market, consisting mostly of leg quarters, has helped strengthen prices for leg meat products.

Turkey exports are also continuing to show strength in 2008. Total turkey exports for February 2008 are 49 million pounds, upapproximately 27% from February 2007. Thecontinued weakness of the U.S. currency has greatly assisted turkey exports by increasing the purchasing power of foreign countries. Turkey exports for the first quarter of 2008 are expected to total 135 million pounds, almost 95 higher than the same period in 2007.

Further Reading

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