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 South Korea: Avian Influenza Update and Thai Duck Meat Exports on the Rise.

South Korea: Avian Influenza Update:

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, first detected in South Korea in December, marks the country's first outbreak with the disease. It was first reported at a farm located 50 miles south of Seoul and has now spread beyond the quarantined area, 2.5 to 6 mile radius of the first farm, infecting a confirmed 14 farms with 18 more being investigated. Nearly a million birds of the country's 100 million chickens and 8 million ducks are to be slaughtered. In addition, the bird flu is suspected to have infected a quail farm in Naju, South Cholla Province. In response, South Korea is taking precautionary measures such as the monitoring of hatcheries, slaughterhouses, and migratory birds; disinfection of farms; and restrictions on the transporting of birds. The ministry also recently purchased 2.5 million chickens and 150,000 ducks after prices plunged 30% (693 won/kg or $.581/kg.)

South Korea currently has approximately 115 million poultry and produced about 530,000 and 450,000 metric tons of poultry eggs and meat respectively in 2002. South Korea is a minor player in total world stocks and production accounting for less than .1% of both stocks and production. The country mainly produces for local consumption with few exports. Its few modest exports to Japan, China, and Hong Kong have been stopped. Exports of live poultry, poultry meat, and liquid eggs (dried) valued at about $4.8 million in 2001 (less than .1% of total world exports.)

Source: USDA APHIS & other sources

Thai Duck Meat Exports on the Rise:

Thailand could take the hot seat regarding duck meat production and exports, as they are predicted to surpass 2003’s exports by 8% or 12,000 tons. Production for 2003 is estimated at 111,000 tons, up from 108,000 tons in the previous year, of which 12,000 tons are exported and 97,000 tons are consumed locally.

Of the world’s 3,300 metric tons (MT) of duck meat production, Thailand ranks third (3.36%) behind China (66.67%) and France (7.15%), but ahead of Vietnam, US, South Korea, Malaysia, UK, Germany, and Hungary. In comparison to world regarding duck meat exports, Thailand ranks fourth (9.6%) behind China (20.8%), Hungary (20.8%), and France (12%) in exports.

The forecasted rise in Thai exports comes from increased demand from Europe, Japan, and China. European countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, and Belgium have upped their orders as consumers still worry over mad cow disease. Japan has placed more orders in light of China’s bouts with the bird-flu and the SARS epidemic. As for China, the number one consumer, producer, and exporter, as well as a major importer of duck meat, it is suffering from reduced exports and rising imports, as hygiene fears escalate.

In 1992, Thailand introduced, further processed duck meat, which totaled 2,189 MT, while frozen duck meat exports amounted to 8.934 MT in 2002. It is projected further processed duck meat will increase 53% to 4,000 MT, while frozen duck meat exports will drop 67% to 8,000 MT for 2003. Asian countries such as Japan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Malaysia are largest importers of frozen duck meat. In comparison, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, UK, and Belgium prefer the further processed duck meat.

Source: World Poultry & other sources

To view the full report, including tables please click here

Source: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - 30th December 2003.