Avian flu, caused by the type A influenza virus, is spreading in the United States. The country’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has already identified 213 outbreaks spread across 31 states.
These outbreaks have affected 138 commercial farms and the total number of contaminated birds is 29 million. In many cases, the disease has only been found in wild birds or backyard animals.
Avian flu returns to the United States seven years after it first broke out in 2015, when the disease affected nearly 50 million birds.
Avian influenza viruses are classified as low pathogenic or high pathogenic. In the case of the United States, the avian influenza virus strain is highly pathogenic (HPAI). The virus is quite contagious and spreads quickly.
The disease was first confirmed on February 8 at a turkey farm in Indiana. A few days later, a chicken farm in Kentucky was affected.
The situation is worst in Iowa, where the disease primarily affects laying hens. 12 million birds are already affected.
The progression of the disease in the country affects the prices in this sector, which are higher, especially for eggs.
A spread of bird flu in the United States could further disrupt the world poultry market, which is already suffering from a drop in supply from Ukraine due to the war with Russia.
Americans produce 20.5 million tons of poultry meat a year and consume 17.2 million. Exports from the United States reach 3.36 million, just below the 4.6 million tons of Brazil, which leads the world market.
The European Union, the third largest exporter, sells 1.8 million tons on the foreign market, according to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).
The main importers of chicken meat are the Japanese, who buy 1.1 million tons a year, and the Mexicans, who buy 940,000 tons.
The world production of chicken meat is expected to reach 100 million tons this year, and 13.4 million will be sold on the foreign market.
With the withdrawal of production in Ukraine, Usda estimates that Brazil will increase its market share and take 35% of world trade.
Depending on the course of the disease, North Americans have 25% left, while Ukrainians are practically leaving the foreign market this year.
Corn The grain keeps the downtrend in price. This Wednesday (20th), it was trading at R$87.87 per bag in the Campinas region, down 5.6% on the month.
soy According to Cepea (Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics), the oilseeds in Paraná were sold for R$ 186.7 per bag, which kept prices stable compared to the end of March.
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