World trade is being disrupted by the avian 'flu crisis, known as High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Asia, with resultant import bans for key exporters such as Thailand and China (the fourth and fifth largest exporters of broiler meat), There have even been a few outbreaks of a less virulent strain in the US partially affecting exports from this source. This in turn is affecting production developments as a result of compulsory slaughter and loss of markets and financial problems for the majorexporting companies in south east Asia. Therefore forecasts of world production for 2004 are more tentative than normal, but lower production is expected in Thailand and stable production in China and Japan seems likely, Expansion is still expected outside of south east Asia.
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