June 4, 2008

South Korean province regaining confidence in poultry after bird flu
   

Following a period of 21 days without any new bird flu cases, poultry slaughter rate and poultry prices in South Gyeongsang Province are on its way to recovery.

Slaughter rate in South Gyeongsang plunged after the region suffered from a bird flu outbreak on April 3. However, it appears that public confidence is returning and as a direct result, slaughter rate is on the rise.

Broilers slaughtered in South Gyeongsang in May reached 485,000, down 17.3 percent on-year but up 18.1 percent from the previous month when bird flu just broke out.

White semi broilers slaughtered last month was 84,000, down 30.5 percent on-year but up 170.7 percent from the previous month.

Ducks slaughtered last month totalled 358,000, up 131.5 percent from March prior to the bird flu outbreak.

The provincial government expects poultry consumption and slaughter to increase in summer, as there would be a high demand for chicken soup to alleviate the summer heat.