The United States is the world's largest exporter of broilers. In 2003, broiler exports totaled 4.93 billion pounds (15 percent of total production), valued at $1.5 billion. Demand for U.S. broiler products has fluctuated over the last several years due to changing economic conditions and currency exchange rates in major exporting countries. In 2003, the largest importers of U.S. broiler products were Russia (including the Baltic countries) and China (including Hong Kong). Together, these two markets accounted for 44 percent of total shipments of U.S. broiler products, on a quantity basis.

The United States imports only small amounts of broiler products. In 2003, imports amounted to 12 million pounds, or less than 1 percent of domestic production.

The United States is also the world's largest exporter of turkey products. In 2003, U.S. turkey exports were 482 million pounds and were valued at $265 million. Less than 1 percent of turkey exports were as whole birds, with the majority of shipments being lower valued turkey parts or ground or mechanically deboned meat (MDM). Many importing countries mix the ground or MDM turkey meat with other meats in sausage production.

Mexico is by far the largest importer of U.S. turkey meat. In 2003, shipments of turkey meat to Mexico totaled 241 million pounds, or 50 percent of all turkey exports. The United States imported only a small amount of turkey products, totaling 1 million pounds in 2003. Most imported products come from turkey producers in Canada.

There are three categories of U.S. egg exports. The first is exports of shell eggs for consumption. In 2003, shipments of eggs in this category totaled 41 million dozen. Most of these exports went to Canada, Hong Kong, and Mexico. The second category is exports of shell eggs for hatching. These eggs are for hatching out into egg laying-type birds or broiler-type birds. Shipments of hatching eggs were 46 million dozen in 2003, going chiefly to Canada and Mexico. The third category is exports of egg products. Egg products (dried or whole) are used mainly in the baking and prepared-foods industries. On an egg-equivalent basis, exports of egg products totaled 59 million dozen in 2003.

for more information, contact: David J. Harvey
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page updated: May 12, 2004