Pilgrim's Resumes Export Shipments to Russia

Pilgrim's has four Russia-approved processing plants that are currently packing product for Russia. Those plants are located in Boaz, Ala.; Russellville, Ala.; Athens, Ga.; and Dallas, Texas.

Sep 6 2010 --- Pilgrim's Pride Corporation has begun resuming export shipments to Russia after the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) finalized certificates that must accompany the shipments.

Pilgrim's has four Russia-approved processing plants that are currently packing product for Russia. Those plants are located in Boaz, Ala.; Russellville, Ala.; Athens, Ga.; and Dallas, Texas. The company said it expects shipments to Russia to begin loading at U.S. ports tomorrow.

"Demand from Russia is very strong. We have sold out our entire Russian-approved production for the next 30 days and prices have continued to strengthen," said Don Jackson, Pilgrim's president and chief executive. "Russia is an important export market for U.S. chicken and the re-opening of the borders will be a significant benefit to our company and industry."

In July, Russian officials signed a formal poultry agreement with the United States outlining new processing requirements for domestic chicken that is to be exported to Russia. Earlier this year, Russia had banned all U.S. chicken that had been processed with chlorinated water. Under the new requirements approved in July, U.S. chicken companies can replace the chlorinated rinse with cetylpyridinium chloride, peroxyacetic acid or hydrogen peroxide.