Chicken exports in May this year were 307,969 metric tons valued at $406.82 million compared with 290,190 tons valued at $353.02 million in May 2011, a 6.1-percent increase in quantity and a 15.2-percent increase in value.  Within the chicken category, parts were up 10.8 percent in quantity and 20.3 percent in value while prepared chicken and sausages rose 16.6 percent and 12.4 percent in quantity and value, respectively.  Whole chicken exports decreased significantly with  a 75.5-percent drop in quantity and a 69.7-percent decline in value.

Chicken exports for May 2011 and May 2012 were as follows:

U.S. Chicken Exports during the Month of May
Quantity Value
2011 2012 Change 2011 2012 Change
– metric tons – – percent – – million dollars – – percent –
Chicken parts 267,308 296,155 10.8 312.24 375.48 20.3
Prepared chicken & sausages 6,731 7,849 16.6 23.11 25.97 12.4
Whole chickens 16,151 3,965 -75.5 17.68 5.36 -69.7
Total 290,190 307,969 6.1 353.02 406.82 15.2

During January-May this year, chicken exports totaled 1,513,690 tons valued at $1,944.05 million compared with 1,335,084 tons valued at $1,559.98 million, a 13.4-percent increase in tonnage and a 24.6-percent increase in value.  Chicken parts exports are running ahead of the category totals with an 18.1-percent gain in quantity and a 30.7-percent increase in value.  Prepared chicken and sausages experienced a 12.7 percent increase in quantity and a 9.7-percent increase in value while whole chickens are off 71.5 percent and 64.2 percent for quantity and value, respectively, when the first five months of this year are compared with the same time in 2011.

Chicken exports for January-May 2011 and January-May 2012 are as follows:

U.S. Chicken Exports for the Period of January-May
Quantity Value
2011 2012 Change 2011 2012 Change
– metric tons – – percent – – million dollars – – percent –
Chicken parts 1,233,634 1,456,661 18.1 1,372.58 1,793.73 30.7
Prepared chicken & sausages 33,370 37,598 12.7 112.74 123.63 9.7
Whole chickens 68,080 19,431 -71.5 74.65 26.69 -64.2
Total 1,335,084 1,513,690 13.4 1,559.98 1,944.05 24.6

Top chicken parts markets in May 2012 were Mexico, Hong Kong, and Russia.  Exports to Mexico were strong with 44,438 tons valued at $50.71 million, a 28.0-percent increase in quantity and a 52.1-percent increase in value when compared with May last year.  Hong Kong, the second largest parts market this May, had 30,140 tons valued at $43.25 million, off 26.9 percent and 24.6 percent for quantity and value, respectively.  Parts to Russia were 29,723 tons valued at $34.22 million, about three times year earlier levels for both quantity and value.  Next week’s Washington Report will present chicken parts exports to the top 15 destinations.