Hong Kong May Buy More U.S. Chicken

HONG KONG - Feb 6/04 - SNS -- The United States is expected to benefit from the impact of avian influenza on trade flows within southeast Asia and strong poultry markets on account of import bans.

U.S. chicken exports to Hong Kong amounted to 142,306 MT between January and November of 2003, down 39% decline from the same period in 2002.

Discussing the situation, the U.S. agricultural attache here said, "The major reason was the strong demand with resultant higher prices for chicken products in the United States and other markets, making U.S. suppliers reduce their supplies to Hong Kong."

Even so, the agricultural attache said Hong Kong traders enjoyed greater profit margins last year than previous years because of higher selling prices. Sales of U.S. chicken paws to the Hong Kong and China markets have continued to decline as most U.S. plants are no longer willing to pack paws for this market due to new documentation requirement enforced by China.

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