USDA Outlook: U.S. broiler shipments up 2.5% year-over-year to 689.7 million lbs. in October; turkey exports up 20.7% to 59.2 million lbs.; egg exports down 13.3% to 22.4 million dozen

Andrew Rogers

WASHINGTON , December 15, 2011 (press release) – The following article is excerpted from the December Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook published by the Economic Research Service of the USDA.

Broiler Shipments Remain Strong in October

October broiler shipments were up from a year ago. Broiler meat shipped in October 2011 totaled 689.7 million pounds, a 2.5- percent increase from the same period in 2010, although last October shipments in 2010 were at the highest monthly volume recorded that year. There are several notable differences in trade flows between 2011 and 2010. Shipments to Russia in October 2010 totaled 211 million pounds, which accounted for 31.5- percent of the U.S. broiler exports for that month. In October 2011, Russia imported only 64.4 million pounds, a 69.5- percent reduction. One reason for this big change is that imports were high in 2010 as the U.S. re-entered the Russia’s market following resolution of trade restrictions.

Another market that made a considerable difference in 2011 October broiler shipments was Hong Kong. Broiler shipments to Hong Kong totaled 55.7 million pounds in October 2011, a 45-percent increase from last October. In October 2010, shipments to Angola totaled only 14.4 million pounds. However, 12 months later these shipments rose to 60.5 million pounds, a 320-percent increase from a year ago. Secondary markets also imported more broiler meat in October 2011, offsetting lower shipments to Russia.

Turkey Shipments Rose in October

Turkey shipments totaled 59.2 million pounds in October, up 20.7- percent from a year ago. Shipments to the largest U.S. market, Mexico, totaled 31.4 million pounds, accounting for 53 percent of total turkey exports. Exports to China, the second largest U.S. turkey market, rose considerably in October, from 3.2 million pounds in October 2010 to 5.2 million pounds in October 2011. Sizable turkey shipments also went to the Philippines, for an increase of over 1 million pounds from a year earlier. Through October, turkey exports are up 23- percent in 2011.

Total Egg Exports Fall in October

Monthly exports of eggs and egg products had been mostly higher in 2011 on a year-over-year basis through September, but fell in October to the equivalent of 22.4 million dozen eggs, 13.3 percent below a year earlier. The exports were down to Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany and a number of smaller markets, but were partially offset by higher shipments to Japan and Mexico. Exports of both shell eggs and egg products declined in October, with shipments of shell eggs at 11.5 million (down 12 percent) and shipments of egg products at the equivalent of 10.9 million dozen (down 12 percent). The October shipments were likely impacted by strengthening U.S. prices. Domestic shell egg prices have continued to strengthen in November and into December. Over the first 10 months of 2011, total egg shipments were 232 million dozen, up 6.7 percent from the same period in 2010.

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