American chicken wanted in Romania

Romania imported 24,000 tonnes of American fowl worth $14.7 million in the first nine months last year, a survey of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows. Imports account for nearly half of the American shipments to the Balkan area. The president of the Association of Poultry Producers, Ilie Van says imports amounted to some 29,000 tonnes, that is $16 million last year. “We are not the main recipient in this area, because Poland imported $48 million’s worth, therefore they are the main destination, not us,” Van added. He says those imports have helped put many Romanian companies out of business. “The dumping prices led Romanian producers bankrupt. No matter where they come in, no matter the 45% customs duty, the prices are still below those on the market. They bring products at $300-$500/tonne,” Van specified. The American report shows the United States exported more than 52,000 tonnes of fowl worth $30 million to this region comprised of Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova and Romania. The shipments from American producers to this region registered 27.8% increase in volume, yet they were worth 0.5% less. ZF