US poultry exports may fall on weak economy

US chicken exports may fall in 2009 from the previous year due to the credit crunch and weak global economies, but the decline should not be severe, an industry player said.

Poultry exports to Russia have been fairly strong so far, although it could weaken, said Joe Sanderson, CEO of Sanderson Farms Inc.

The USDA estimated that US chicken exports will fall 13 percent this year to 6.050 billion pounds, while production will fall 3 percent.

The value of the dollar versus other currencies will also affect exports, but the trade will not collapse, Sanderson said.

Russia, a key market for US chicken, has been striving to increase domestic poultry production. Russia's deputy prime minister had estimated that the country could meet its needs in three years.