Source: MEATINGPLACE, 4/10/15

USDA on Thursday sharply reduced poultry export projections due to widespread trade restrictions triggered by the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

USDA now sees total poultry exports down 8.4 percent in 2015 from last year, to a total of 7.53 billion pounds.

The revised forecast represents a 5.8 percent cut from last month’s estimate for total poultry exports.

Broiler exports for 2015 were forecast at 6.68 billion pounds, down from 7.1 billion last month and 7.3 billion last year. Turkey exports were projected at 720 million pounds, down from 765 million pounds in March and 804 million pounds last year.

Weak economic growth in several key markets and the strong dollar are making it difficult to expand poultry exports in the face of the trade restrictions, USDA said in its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.

The dampened export outlook comes as HPAI continues to spread, with the infection of a second commercial turkey flock in South Dakota being the most recent confirmed case.

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