February 13, 2004

US Outlook On Poultry Sales Remain Optimistic

Despite the increasing number of bird flu cases reported in the country, the United States is confident of exporting more poultry, a US Department of Agriculture official, Matt Kaye said.

Some countries have banned US chickens, but officials believe they'll be in demand as replacement stock, he added.

"Numerous countries have now banned US poultry imports, after Delaware officials found avian flu at two farms, and ordered close to 100,000 birds slaughtered. But US Agriculture Department World Agriculture Outlook Board Chairman, Gerald Bange, says the US virus is not the virulent strain, blamed for the deaths of 19 people in Thailand and Vietnam, and Asia will need replacement birds. 'We're looking, really, for the avian influenza outbreak in Asia to result in us exporting somewhat more broilers than we would have before. We've increased our estimate by about 170 million pounds; what we think we will export are broilers.'"

The US has also boosted its estimate of wheat exports, by 25 million bushels to 1.15 billion, at a price of US $3.35.