February 9, 2011

Mexico to start antidumping probe of US chicken

Mexico would inspect US producers over dumping complaints filed by Mexican chicken processors, last year's top foreign buyer of US chicken said Tuesday (Feb 8).

Mexican chicken processors allege US producers sold chicken legs and thighs on the Mexican market below their cost of production in 2010. Among the US producers named in the complaint published on Tuesday (Feb 8) in the government's official gazette were Tyson Foods Inc and Pilgrim's Pride Corp.

Mexican imports of US chicken surged 18% in the first 11 months of 2010 to 876.53 million pounds to displace Russia as the biggest buyer of US chicken, according to USDA.

Toby Moore, a spokesman for the US Poultry and Egg Export Council, declined to comment, saying the council was still reviewing the complaint.

The chicken dispute comes as the US and Mexico are still trying to resolve a disagreement over access for Mexican trucks to US roads, as required under the North American Free Trade Agreement.