December 18, 2006

 

Poultry export in US state down 10 percent

 

 

Poultry export in the US state of Mississippi fell 10 percent this year, largely due to bird flu fears.

 

Poultry exports are down 10.4 percent from the US$2.2 billion seen in 2005 to US$2 billion seen this year.

 

Broilers were the worst affected, down almost 12 percent to US$1.8 billion from the US$2.1 billion in 2005, according to Tim Chamblee from the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

 

Poultry operations placed 92 percent as many birds as the previous year, placement data from the end of November showed.

 

However, exports had showed strong signs of recovery by year-end, and world consumers now have a much higher level of confidence in the industry.

 

Although poultry numbers are going to be down 7 percent, more pounds of poultry are going to be produced this year as the birds are getting heavier, Chamblee said.

 

The average weight of a broiler grown in Mississippi is 5.73 pounds compared to the 5.58-pound average produced in 2005.

 

However, increasing corn and fuel prices would continue to impact the industry, Chamblee said.

 

The estimated value of egg production in Mississippi was up 4.3 percent. Chamblee said egg production was slightly higher than in 2005, but demand was down and there was an oversupply of eggs.

 

Current egg prices remained low at about US$1 a dozen, but have improved much compared to the US$0.40 a dozen in summer.