During the first seven months of this year, the United States exported 213,218 metric tons of paws-feet, 6 percent higher than the 200,524 tons exported during the same time a year ago, according to the “International Egg and Poultry Review” from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Paws-feet exports during January-July 2012 are 27 percent higher than 2010 (167,833 tons), 23 percent lower than 2009 (278,002 tons), and 25 percent lower than 2008 (284,501 tons). Total U.S. exports of paws-feet have been on a general decline since 2008, the report said.

 In July 2012, exports totaled 27,734 tons of paws-feet, 26 percent higher than June 2012 but 21 percent lower than July 2011. By comparison, July 2012 exports are 12 percent higher than July 2010 (24,826 tons) but 49 percent lower than July 2009 (53,964 tons) and 49 percent under July 2008 (53,952 tons).

 The top two leading markets for U.S. paws-feet exports have been China and Hong Kong, despite ongoing trade disputes.  China and Hong Kong combined account for nearly 98 percent for total U.S. paws-feet exports. China and Hong Kong together imported 208,322 tons from January-July 2012, 6 percent higher than 2011 (196,245 tons), 34 percent higher than 2010 (155,016 tons), 23 percent lower than 2009 (272,173 tons), and 25 percent lower than 2008 (277,313 tons). The USDA report is available here.