U.S. poultry export forecasts for 2011 have been raised $100 million to $4.9 billion on higher unit values, despite slightly lower volumes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's most recent report.
This rise is part of a total $1.6 billion increase in the export forecast for livestock, poultry and dairy, which is now expected to reach a record $26.5 billion for 2011. The forecast for broiler meat in particular has increased from $3.1 billion in February to $3.2 billion in May, according to the report. Fiscal year 2010 saw $3.01 billion in U.S. broiler meat exports and $4.62 billion in overall poultry exports.