Russian ban on U.S. poultry hits a $307 million industry; Tyson, cock of the walk, says it can adjust

The conflict between the U.S. and Russia could have major implications on a food export business that accounts for more than $1 billion annually, Roberto Ferdman reports for The Washington Post. Last week Russia said it was suspending food imports from several countries, including the U.S. "in retaliation for sanctions imposed on it by those nations over the past few weeks. The measure, which targets meat, fish, fruit, vegetable and milk products, and will last a year, is expected to hit food supplies and drive up Russian food prices."

Last year U.S. poultry exports to Russia totaled $307 million, or about 7 percent of all U.S. poultry exports, Ferdman notes. Nuts accounted for more than $173 million; the U.S. is the world's largest exporter of pistachio nuts and Russia is the seventh biggest importer of U.S. pistachios. Peanuts don't appear to be included in the ban. (Washington Post graphic)

"American food makers, however, are confident that most of the adjustments they will have to make in the aftermath of Russia's suspension of food imports from the United States will be a matter of redistribution, not downsizing," Ferdman writes. Tyson Foods public relations manager Worth Sparkman told Ferdman, "We're disappointed about the loss of the Russian market, but don't expect the pact to be significant since the volume we ship there can be absorbed by other global markets." (Read more)