March 24, 2004

USDA Projects 2004 US Whole Chicken Exports At 2.248 Million MT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture projected Tuesday, U.S. exports of whole chickens in 2004 would increase by 0.5% from 2003 to 2.248 million metric tons.
 
MAJOR EXPORTERS:
 
Brazil, the world's second largest exporter of whole chickens, is expected to expand exports in 2004 by 10.3% from 2003 to 2.1 million metric tons.
 
European Union export projections for chicken in 2004 are up by 6.8% from 2003 to 780,000 metric tons.
 
USDA predicts Thailand will decrease exports of whole chickens in 2004 by 43.2% from 2003 to 300,000 metric tons.
 
MAJOR IMPORTERS:
 
Russian Federation, the world's leading importer of whole chickens, is estimated to decrease imports in 2004 by 10.0% from 2003 to 990,000 metric tons.
 
In 1,000 metric tons (ready to cook equivalent). 2004 data is projected, 2003 data is preliminary and 2002 data is final. Percent changes are from the previous year.
 
Source: USDA Foreign Agriculture Service.
 
EXPORTS
Country            2004   % chg     2003   % chg      2002   % chg
Brazil              2,100     10.3      1,904    20.7      1,577     28.6
EU                    780        6.8        730   -13.4         843     16.4
Rep of China      310    -20.1        388   -11.4         438    -10.4
Thailand            300     -43.2        528    13.5         465       9.7
Canada               90       5.9          85     -7.6          92      33.3
Argentina            45      50.0         30     66.7          18    200.0
United Arab E      40     -11.1         45     21.6          37      85.0
Hungary              30       0.0          30    11.1          27       -3.6
Poland                25        0.0         25      8.7          23       76.9
Australia             20        5.3         19    11.8          17      -19.0
Others                58        7.4         54      3.8          52         6.1
  Ttl Foreign    3,798       -1.0    3,838      6.9      3,589      16.9
  Ttl US           2,248       0.5     2,237      2.6      2,180     -13.5
  Ttl World       6,046      -0.5     6,075     5.3       5,769        3.2
 
IMPORTS
Country              2004   % chg     2003   % chg     2002   % chg
Russian Fed         990     -10.0     1,100     -8.9     1,208     -5.7
Japan                  520     -25.2       695      -6.6       744      4.8
EU                      400     -16.7        480     18.8       404     -3.6
Saudi Arabia        395        1.3       390       2.6       380     -4.8
Mexico                350        3.6        338     26.6       267      9.0
Rep of China        220    -51.5        454       3.4       439     -3.9
Hong Kong           170     10.4        154      -6.1       164    -10.4
United Arab E       140      -3.4        145       6.6       136     10.6
Rep of Korea        100     11.1          90     -4.3         94     13.3
Canada                 90       5.9          85     10.4         77      5.5
Romania                85      2.4          83       7.8         77     32.8
Others                 365      0.3         364     18.6       307     -8.1
  Ttl World         3,825    -12.6     4,378       1.9     4,297     -1.6