INTERNATIONAL EGG AND POULTRY REVIEW

From January-October 2012, the top market for US chicken leg quarters (CLQ) was Russia at 205,294 metric tons (MT), 67% higher than the same time a year ago (123,168 MT). Close behind was Angola (141,204 MT), Mexico (109,679 MT), Cuba (100,980 MT), and Kazakhstan (77,844 MT). US CLQ exports totaled 1,532,900 MT from January-October 2012, 18% higher than a year ago (1,298,213 MT).

Exports to Angola and Mexico increased significantly in the past few years as exports to Russia and China declined. Despite these increases the US still has a few pending and potential trade obstacles to contend with. First, the US still awaits the imposition of antidumping duties on US CLQ (HS0207.13.03 and HS0207.14.04), which Mexico put on hold July 31, 2012 after prices increased from an outbreak of H7N3 avian influenza. At present, Mexico has not imposed any duties, however the issue remains active. Other obstacles include the possible impacts of increased container rates effective January 2013 and the current unresolved longshoremen strike along US coasts