US Chicken Exporters Struggling to Meet World Demand - US - Chicken exporters in the United States are struggling to meet world demand after countries around the globe slap import bans on Asian poultry.

The deadly bird flu virus, which has killed at least 10 people and led to the culling of millions of birds in 10 Asian countries, has devastated the region's multi-billion-dollar poultry industry. Many countries are now turning to the United States, the world's top chicken exporter, for poultry supply.

"The outbreak is having a tremendous impact on the world poultry market," said Mr James Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.
While cash registers have been ringing for poultry exporters in Brazil and the US as countries turn to them for supplies, they are finding it difficult to meet the demand.

"We cannot fill all of the orders," said Mr Sumner.

He said that the US, facing a shortage of hatching eggs, had little left for export.

"We can expect poultry products to get more expensive throughout the world, as we can already see," he said.

Source: eFeedLink - 2nd February 2004