US Poultry and Egg Exports Break Records

U.S. poultry and egg exports reached a record-breaking high of US$5.1 billion in 2011, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Export value in 2011 increased 17 percent over 2010.

Poultry accounted for the majority of dollar gains, totaling US$4.91 billion. By volume, poultry exports reached 3.9 million tonnes, a gain of 6 percent compared with 2010 exports. Despite a six month ban on poultry exports to Russian, U.S. exports reached their highest level since 2008.

Egg exports accounted for the balance of US$194.7 million on 220.5 million dozen eggs, which represented an increase of 12 percent in value and 7 percent in volume over 2010 exports.

"It’s obvious from the data that exports are growing in importance for the U.S. poultryand egg industry," Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, said in a statement. Exports were driven by increased shipments to Hong Kong, Korea, Iraq, Mexico, Angola, and Canada.

The council expects the upward trend to continue in 2012 as exports increase to emerging markets. 

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.