Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Coronavirus shuts down Chinese poultry market


Chinese officials are predicting that poultry and eggs could become scarce in the summer and fall because of the coronavirus that has claimed about lives.

China’s live poultry markets have been closed, transportation of poultry has been curtailed and some slaughterhouses have been closed, according to The South China Morning Post.

The report said agriculture ministry official Yang Zhenhai notified a China State Council that the loss of the nation’s poultry industry also would be “very serious” in light of supply chain issues and sharply lower poultry prices. 

The coronavirus outbreak has already impacted imports because of restrictions on port workers because they might spread the virus.

An association which speaks for United States meat exporters said.that shipments are being held up once transport ships arrive in China and cargo is unable to be moved into areas where the imported food products are needed.