February 27, 2004

Bird Flu Outbreak Cut Poultry Exports From Beijing

China's Beijing poultry exports was drastically reduced by as much as 63.6% year-on-year to 543 tonnes in January 2004 following bird flu outbreaks, according to local customs statistics.

The total value of exports dropped 54.2 pct to $673,000 (538,701 euro).

Poultry export destinations decreased to five in January 2004 from 11 a year ago.

Exports of some of the city's five biggest poultry companies fell about 30 pct while others fully suspended their exports.

Poultry accounted for more than 70 pct of Beijing's agricultural exports.

(Editor's note: More than 40 countries and regions have banned imports of Chinese poultry products since the first cases of avian flu, also known as bird influenza and avian influenza, were reported on January 27, 2004.

Recently, China and Japan ended talks on China's exports of poultry products.

Under the bilateral agreement, the Chinese Government will provide to Japan a list of poultry-raising companies which have passed the strict quarantine measures, according to the president of the poultry branch of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products.)