International Egg and Poultry Review - By the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - This is a weekly report looking at international developments concerning the poultry industry, this week looking at World egg production and North Korea.

Table Eggs

World egg production reached 57,861,746 metric tons in 2004, up 3% from the previous year (56,236,075 MT). In the U.S., high producer returns in late 2003 resulted in a rapid increase in the U.S. layer flock in 2003-2004. Table egg production in the U.S. reached a record high of 6,365 milion dozen, 2.2% over 2003. Table egg production in the U.S. is expected to increase to about 6,456 million eggs, nearly 1.6 % over 2004.

Bans on U.S. poultry and eggs due to avian influenza outbreaks reduced U.S. table egg exports to some markets. However, when the EU experienced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza early in 2003, millions of birds were culled and exports of U.S. table eggs to the EU surged 475%. Once the EU layer flock had recovered, U.S. table egg exports to the EU plummeted.

Exports to Canada surged in 2004 after avian influenza was detected in British Columbia. Millions of birds were culled and the resulting shortage of table eggs led to a huge increase of table eggs from the U.S.

U.S. table egg exports fell 8% in 2002 and 16% in 2003 before increasing 39% in 2004 due to a strong demand from Canada. U.S. egg exports are especially sensitive to supply shifts because only 2% of U.S. egg production enters the export market.
Source: USDA /FAS U.S. Trade Statistics, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Economic Research Services; United NationsFood and Agriculture Organization; International Egg Commission

Bird Flu Outbreak In North Korea Contained

The recent outbreak of avian influenza in North Korea (DPRK) has been successfully contained, according to a statement released on April 25, 2005 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. An H7 strain of the bird flu virus, detected on three poultry farms near the capital Pyongyang, led to the culling of around 218,000 infected chickens.

Birds in unaffected poultry houses were vaccinated. The H7 virus caused severe disease in chickens, but is not directly related to the H5N1 avian influenza virus circulating in other parts of Asia.
Source: UN Food and Agriculture Organization

To view the full report, including tables please click here

Source: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - 26th April 2005