Mexico has reopened its borders to Canadian poultry genetics, but don’t expect it to have much impact on prairie producers.Mexico closed its borders to Canadian poultry following a March 2004 outbreak of avian influenza in British Columbia.”It’s pretty tough to compete with the U.S. geographically and the price,” said Dave Cherniwchan, general manager of the B.C. Broiler Hatching Egg Commission in Abbotsford, B.C.Cherniwchan hadn’t heard about the border reopening and had no inquires from the eight hatcheries in B.C. about beginning exports to Mexico.Imports of day-old chicks, poults and hatching eggs to Mexico from all countries reached $18.2 million in 2009. Canadian agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said the agreement could mean $2 million annually for Canadian producers.Canada’s poultry producers operate under a supply-managed system, where the supply of chicks is roughly the same as the demand. That means there are no excess chicks to supply Mexico.Clinton Monchuk, chief executive officer of the Saskatchewan Broiler Hatching Egg Producers’ Marketing Board said he doesn’t expect Saskatchewan hatcheries to begin exports to Mexico.sA combination of supply management, no excess of chicks and higher costs to hatch chicks in Canada than the United States, means few hatcheries will take advantage of the reopened border, he said.
Mexico reopens border to Canadian poultry
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