The news that Russian has conditionally lifted the ban on importing poultry from the United States sent off a ripple effect over the nation.
Food industry groups praised the announcement. The National Chicken Council stated:
“The reopening of the Russian market is good news for American chicken producers and processors,” NCC President George Watts said in a statement. “We thank President Obama and government officials and members of Congress who were involved in resolving this issue.”Non-food divisions of the US workforce are also welcoming the lift. The Mississippi Press wrote about the port in Jackson County, who had seen a significant drop in work since the ban was instated:
Russia has been the port's largest market for chicken exports. But in January, it barred incoming U.S. chicken in fear of the anti-microbial chlorine rinses used to disinfect the meat.And in financial news, cattle and hog futures rose as the end of the ban would signal less competition from chicken. The Cattle Network has more:
Frozen poultry accounts for a little less than half of all cargo at the port's public terminals, Director Mark McAndrews said, so the ban has had a substantial impact, including a significant loss of hours for waterfront laborers.
Stepped-up purchases by Russia may help whittle down expanding U.S. chicken supplies and provide a boost to beef and pork prices, which have slumped in the past month after surging near two-year highs earlier this spring.The remaining question is will Russia begin accepting the US back-stock on poultry. Will the already-chlorine sprayed product be rejected or allowed into the country?
“Just the idea that (chicken exports) might resume a healthy volume would certainly help us,” CME Group independent hog futures trader Martin Callaghan said today, noting that beef and pork supplies have already shrunk. “We don’t have a lot of protein in storage.”
