What challenges are currently facing Georgia’s poultry industry?
A. The challenges facing Georgia’s poultry industry are for the most part the same ones facing the nation’s poultry producers. Periodic disruptions with key trading partners, such as what is currently happening with Russia and China, can cause a temporary oversupply of chicken resulting in depressed pricing. The future success of the poultry industry depends in some part on developing and maintaining international export markets. The U.S. faces intense competition from other poultry-producing nations, such as Brazil, and some export markets continue to be limited or excluded because of non-scientific and, in some cases, political reasons. Developing trade agreements throughout the world that are based on sound science and free-market principles is very important. Considering Georgia’s proximity to the ports, improving access to export markets has the potential to benefit Georgia even more compared to other states. Corn prices have stabilized since the experience in 2008 when corn price
