Export restrictions on U.S. poultry, imposed because of outbreaks of avian influenza, are not likely to have a significant impact on the beef sector, said USDA chief economist Robert Johannson. “At this point, it doesn’t appear to be an issue.” A couple of dozen countries have imposed full or partial bans on U.S. poultry. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told senators the bans affect roughly 15 percent of poultry exports and that the USDA was to keep shipments moving. “We are putting people on notice that the most appropriate way is to regionalize” the restrictions to the areas with an outbreak.
Kansas State agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor said last week that long-running and widespread restrictions on poultry exports would drive down prices and spill over into the beef and pork markets. Pork, beef and chicken comprise the majority of the U.S. meat supply and may serve as a substitute for one another in consumer purchases, he said.