Reuters: Bans on the US poultry shipments persist even as bird flu cases decline

CHICAGO, July 27 (Reuters) - U.S. poultry producers say they face prolonged economic woes from avian flu despite going months without infections in flocks, as China and some smaller importers failed to lift trade bans put in place during the worst outbreak of the virus in the country. Persistent bans, imposed last year to stop the spread of the disease, constrain the $6 billion export market for chicken meat, as producers also struggle with limited labor, lower chicken prices and uncertain costs. for ration. The Chinese market is particularly important for US companies like Pilgrim's Pride (PPC.O) because it's the main destination for items like chicken feet that Americans generally don't eat, industry officials said. China, South Africa and the Dominican Republic maintain poultry bans from 37 states that have previously reported infections, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) records show. Mexico, the biggest overall market for American chicken meat, has largely lifted trade ...