Russia Leading Market for U.S. Leg Quarters, USDA Reports

On January 20, 2012, in International Trade, by Debra Newman

Russia was the top market for leg quarters with 144,000 metric tons, despite having 39 percent lower chicken leg quarter imports from the United States during January to November 2011, according to the “International Egg and Poultry Review” from USDA’s AMS Poultry Programs. Following behind Russia was Mexico (139,000 tons), Angola (139,000 tons), Georgia (82,000 tons), and Iraq (77,000 tons).

Russia surpassed Mexico as the top export marketplace for leg quarters in the second half of 2011 as U.S. exports began increasing in July 2011. Leg quarter exports were about 202 percent higher from July-November 2011 versus January-June 2011. Mexico had been the top export market for leg quarters throughout most of 2011 with consistent monthly shipment volumes. Leg quarter shipments to Angola have risen significantly between August-October 2011 totaling 67,516 tons compared with January-July 2011 at 61,435 tons.

Recent export data suggests the United States has been successful in developing other markets for leg quarters beyond Russia and China, previously the top two export markets.  A number of trade issues with some countries continue to change the leg quarter export picture.  For example, Russia has reduced its import quota; China’s anti-dumping and countervailing duties have shifted trade; and the ongoing anti-dumping case with Mexico may thwart trade.  Also high grain costs, weakness of the U.S. dollar, and other challenges will affect where U.S. leg quarters go, the report said.

Top U.S. Leg Quarter Export by Volume in 2011*
——————— 000 Metric Tons ———————-
2007 2008 2009 2010 2010* 2011* Percent**
Russia 821 755 667 307 234 144 -38.5
Mexico 49 92 110 151 136 139 2.4
Angola 78 95 74 138 126 139 10.5
Georgia 22 35 53 84 83 82 -0.6
Iraq 62 40 70 76 69 77 10.5
Cuba 73 115 117 119 115 65 -43.0
Latvia 18 14 49 57 57 62 9.6
Vietnam 9 34 36 51 47 57 20.0
Lithuania 103 85 69 91 91 52 -43.2
United Arab Emirates 18 31 35 38 34 50 45.3
Other 492 602 541 645 600 589 -1.8
Total 1,745 1,897 1,821 1,756 1,593 1,457 -8.6
Top U.S. Leg Quarter Exports by Value in 2011*
———————– $ Million $ ————————
2007 2008 2009 2010 2010* 2011* Percent**
Angola 68 98 55 128 116 155 33.6
Russia 701 717 681 284 213 145 -31.9
Mexico 44 78 90 113 102 129 26.8
Georgia 20 35 53 65 64 80 25.2
Iraq 56 42 57 56 51 76 49.0
Cuba 61 110 116 85 82 63 -23.7
Latvia 17 14 44 43 43 59 35.9
Vietnam 9 34 31 42 40 58 46.7
Lithuania 86 81 68 82 82 53 -35.6
United Arab Emirates 16 32 28 29 26 48 85.1
Other 448 602 482 541 503 582 15.6
Total 1,526 1,844 1,707 1,468 1,322 1,447 9.5

Note: All data is from January-December except 2010* and 2011*, which is January-November 2011.  ** change from 2010* to 2011*.  Source: Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics/USDA-FAS

 



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