February 21, 2007

World poultry import trade to rise 15 percent in the next decade
 

Poultry meat imports by major importers are projected to increase by 15 percent in the next 10 years, thanks to rising incomes, USDA said in a report projecting poultry import trends for 2007-2016.

Russia is expected to remain the world's largest poultry importer, with higher consumer income propping up demand for poultry products.  However, increased output from its domestic producers are expected to meet most of the increased demand and the country's imports are expected to decline over the next decade, the report said.

Strong economic growth would also raise poultry consumption and imports in Mexico. Rising domestic poultry production continue to increase but is being outpaced by higher consumer demand. Poultry, on account of its cheaper prices, is fast gaining a bigger share in Mexico's meat market, currently dominated by beef.

Poultry consumption growth in China is met by expanding domestic production and growing imports. However, bird flu in China and Thailand would limit them to exporting chickens fully cooked instead of frozen. As these are more costly, exporters would target high-income countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, the report said.

Poultry imports by Saudi Arabia and the other North Africa and the Middle East regions are projected to rise strongly. However, bird flu outbreaks in some countries may slow growth in domestic production and increase reliance on imports, the report said.

In Central America and the Caribbean, rising consumer incomes would increase reliance on more poultry imports. The Central America Free Trade Agreement is also expected to improve trading volumes.