Russia | Agreement On Poultry Dispute; Little Effect Likely On U.S. Pork And ...
Russia
Agreement On Poultry Dispute; Little Effect
Likely On U.S. Pork And Beef
The U.S.-Russia poultry dispute, which has disrupted U.S. poultry exports to Russia since March, is apparently over. U.S. government officials announced on August 23 that a new veterinary certificate had been agreed with Russian authorities to allow continued exports to Russia. The deal means U.S. poultry-processing plants and cold-storage facilities will be re-inspected under new standards by a team of Russian and U.S. specialists over the next nine months.
The impact of the settlement on U.S. red meat exports to Russia is likely to be small. Pork demand was moderate in July, despite the poultry dispute, and prices decreased for almost all pork items. Importers and producers also noticed the usual summer seasonal fall in demand for beef in July.
Russia is the U.S. poultry industry’s top export market, buying nearly $660 million worth of U.S. poultry last year. Russia banned U.S. poultry imports from March 10 through April 15 after announcing salmonella findings. Although the ban was lifted on April 15, 14 U.S. plants were still prohibited from exporting to Russia.
Friday's agreement is designed to address Russian concerns about avian influenza and other potential contamination, averting future trade cutoffs, according to the National Chicken Council.
Click for USMEF Annual Board of Directors Meeting Information and Registration Form; November 6-8, 2002 - Long Beach, California