US exports of chicken and eggs were at a record pace after the first six months of 2021, boosted by a surge in sales to China, Mexico and Cuba, by the US Poultry and Egg Export Council. A new analysis released Wednesday shows that trade remains strong throughout the rest of the year.
From January to June this year, the United States shipped approximately $ 2.1 billion worth of approximately 1.9 million metric tons of broilers to foreign buyers, according to a USAPEEC report based on the latest USDA data. This is a 6.8% increase in volume and a 21.1% increase from the same period last year. Both are records.
Jim Sumner, President of USAPEEC, said: “This is a testament to the capabilities and efforts of our industry and demonstrates the needs and desires of consumers around the world for poultry and eggs in the United States. Chicken is the world’s leading meat protein and eggs are abundant. Is a basic part of people’s diet. “
US chicken exports to Mexico, China, Cuba and the Philippines have been very strong, setting a value record in trade between Mexico and China in the first half of this year.
In the case of China, the main factor was chicken feet. US producers don’t pay them a lot in the domestic market-they go mostly to render-but they are a valuable snack in China. China lifted the five-year ban on US chicken in 2020, and exports have continued to skyrocket since then.
About 60% of the 217,020 tonnes of chicken that the United States sent to China in the first half of this year was foot.
Regarding Cuba, USAPEEC said, “Chicken exports to Cuba will increase by 96.6% to 163,366 tonnes, which will be a record high this year as demand continues.” Exports to Cuba would have been even higher without the pandemic impact on the country’s important tourism industry and economy. “
US egg exports also set a new record in 2021, according to a USAPEEC analysis. Driven by strong shipments to South Korea, Mexico and Hong Kong, total US exports reached a dozen 170 million in the first half of this year, an increase of about 18% compared to the first half of 2020.
“Egg exports to South Korea were record highs in both quantity and value in the first half of the year (2021), but shipments to Mexico and Hong Kong were the second highest,” USAPEEC said.
