FACTBOX-Bird flu threat to Europe's poultry sales
Source: Reuters
Feb 13 (Reuters) - The H5N1 bird flu virus has hit Britain's domestic poultry flock for the first time. Authorities have culled more than 150,000 turkeys at a farm in eastern England after the disease was confirmed earlier this month. Hungary also had a case at a farm last month. Outbreaks of the virus in poultry across Europe last year caused poultry sales to plunge in many countries. Here are selected details on the size of the sector in Europe, its production and exports, and the current sales level when available: EUROPEAN UNION Europe's poultry sector has a turnover of around 20 billion euros ($26 billion) a year. EU-25 produces 11 million tonnes of poultry meat a year, with exports of one million tonnes. Total number of poultry over 1.7 billion. Chickens account for 70 percent of production, turkeys 20 percent. Exports in 2004 worth 5.63 billion euros. Main markets -- Russia, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine. Average per capita consumption -- 22.88 kg. Second largest meat sector after pork. Consumes 20 percent of EU cereal production. Employs more than 500,000 people. Imports some 350,000 tonnes of chicken breast fillets from Brazil. Feed cost of EU-produced chicken 0.90 euros, of Brazil-produced chicken 0.20. MAIN EU PRODUCERS: FRANCE Had a case of H5N1 on a farm in 2006. French poultry sales plunged over 30 percent after bird flu was found at a turkey farm in February 2006 and did not recover until mid-year. French poultry sector turnover of six billion euros a year. Poultry meat production is 1.9 million tonnes, around half of which is chicken. Total number of poultry 275 million, of which 215 million are chickens. Exports (both EU and non-EU) of around 740,000 tonnes are worth one billion euros, with 45 pct (350,000 tonnes) going to other EU countries. Egg production around 15 billion, worth one billion euros. - - - - BRITAIN H5N1 confirmed on a turkey farm. Total poultry meat production is around 1.6 million tonnes and the UK also imports about 530,000 tonnes. Total number of poultry 167 million, of which 157 million chickens. Exports of more than 275,000 tonnes last year were valued at 247 million pounds. Domestic use is about 1.8 million tonnes. Poultry slaughtering totals almost 900 million a year, the vast majority chickens. Per capita consumption 28.5 kg. Sales have mostly held despite bird flu. Britain's biggest retailer, Tesco Plc <TSCO.L>, said on Tuesday its poultry sales had dipped since the outbreak but declined to give any further information. Sainsbury's <SBRY.L> reported a drop of approximately 10 percent in poultry sales figures for the first five days of last week compared to the same period last week. Supermarket Asda <WMT.N> said its poultry sales were up 4 percent this week year on year. A spokesman for the company said he believed it has customer confidence because it stocks mostly own-brand meat. Other chains, including Waitrose [JLP.UL] and Morrissons <MRW.L> had reported no fall in poultry meat sales last week. Some 90 percent of poultry reared for meat is kept indoors. - - - - GERMANY H5N1 confirmed in farmed birds in 2006. Poultry meat production 1.2 million tonnes. Turnover 1.1 billion euros (2.0 billion including eggs). Total number of poultry 122 million, of which 112 million chickens. Export business practically zero. Per capita consumption 17.8 kg. In early March last year, at the peak of the bird flu scare, poultry meat sales fell by 20 percent, have since recovered. - - - - ITALY H5N1 confirmed in wild birds last year. Total poultry meat production around 1.1 million tonnes, of which chicken around 675,600 tonnes and turkey 300,000. Number of poultry 126 million, of which 100 million chickens. Industry turnover was 3.5 billion euros in 2004, 6.5 percent of turnover in entire Italian farm sector last year. Imports of 26,775 tonnes of chicken meat in 2004 and 30,917 tonnes of turkey meat (mostly from Brazil, France and Hungary). Italy exported 63,273 tonnes of chicken meat and 62,480 tonnes of turkey meat. Italian poultry sales fell as much as 70 percent in February 2006 after H5N1 was detected in wild swans. - - - - NETHERLANDS Poultry meat production around 600,000 tonnes, with just over half exported. Fresh meat shipped mainly to Germany and the UK, frozen meat to Russia, Ukraine and Africa. Poultry industry exports, including meat, eggs and live birds, worth 1.6 billion euros a year. Total number of poultry 90 million, mainly chicken. Per capita consumption 21.9 kg. Annual egg production at 9.2 billion, with 60 percent for export, mainly to Germany but also Belgium, Russia and UK and worth 400 million euros. - - - - SPAIN H5N1 confirmed in a wild bird in 2006. Poultry meat production 1.35 million tonnes, worth 1.67 billion euros. 1.05 million tonnes of chicken meat produced. Total number of poultry 130 million, almost all chickens. Per capita consumption 33 kg. Imports 150,000 tonnes of poultry, exports 85,000 tonnes. - - - - HUNGARY H5N1 confirmed in farm birds, latest case in January. Annual exports 120,000 tonnes, of which 1,600 tonnes foie gras, mainly to France. Total number of poultry 41 million, of which 33 million chickens. Export markets for chicken: Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy; for turkey: UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany; and for geese and ducks: Germany. Hungary has culled thousands of poultry after it became the first EU country to report a case this year. Sales have held up despite the H5N1 virus being found at a farm, the Hungarian Poultry Product Council said. - - - - ROMANIA H5N1 confirmed in farm birds last year. Sales plunged to record lows after H5N1 was found in more than 120 locations in May 2006. Domestic sales fell 80 percent and the poultry association pegged losses at 70 million euros. --- Sources: European Commission, FAO, national farm ministries, industry associations, supermarket chains.
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