News

Chicks lead list of exports

Export markets for U.S. day-old chicks and hatching eggs have opened to Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the opening is a significant agreement for poultry exporters. He says the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has pursued opening the Russian market to U.S. day-old chicks and hatching eggs for nearly 10 years. APHIS officials have also reached agreement on export certification requirements for U.S. dairy cattle shipments to Iraq. In addition, U.S. pears are now available for the first time ever to Chinese consumers thanks to the work of APHIS officials. Within the next two seasons, China could become one of the top five export destinations for U.S.-grown pears. USDA expects exports of U.S. cattle, poultry and pears to increase by over 85-million dollars a year.