September 14, 2004

Russia Cuts U.S. Poultry Imports By 8% In 1st Half 2004

Russia reduced U.S. poultry imports by 8% in the first half of 2004.

Russia imported 280,500 tons of chicken in January - June 2004. This figure was 8% less than the same period in 2003 (306,000 tons), according to a source in the Russian office of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).

However, the cost of chicken imports increased by 46% to $206.5 million.

Russia imported 6,900 tons of turkey in January - June 2004 compared with 3,800 tons a year ago (an 81% increase).

Despite the drop in chicken imports, Russia remains the largest chicken buyer from the United States. Mexico ranks second with 88,600 tons of chicken imports.