Eastern Europe

The major Eastern European markets are Romania and Bulgaria. In 2004, the U.S. exported about 12,000 metric tons of pork and pork variety meats to the two European markets, worth US $27 million, making Europe the ninth largest export market for pork.

In Eastern Europe, U.S. pork (including variety meat) exports to Romania have increased 309 percent in volume to 4,476 metric tons and 572 percent in value to $6.9 million through September.

In 2003 US Poultry Meat exports to Romania was US $$25.64 million. US broiler exports have also seen substantial growth in Eastern European markets, primarily in Romania.

U.S. broiler exports to Romania totaled over 30,000 tons, mainly leg quarters in 2002, doubling the 2001 level. However, it is unclear how U.S. poultry shipments will be affected once Romania adopts EU standards for poultry imports. Romania is tentatively scheduled to join the European Union in 2007.

In addition, the US shipped 27,000 tons, valued at US $12 million to Greece. This trade is presumably transshipped to the Balkans.

In Bulgaria, market opportunities for U.S. pork for processing are very good. The limiting factors are relatively high import duties and duty free import quota for the EU origin pork which discriminates against U.S. pork products.

The prospects for U.S. meat, both beef and pork for processing, as well as higher quality beef steaks for direct consumption, are very good.

Slowly but steadily increasing consumer income as well as development of the food service sector and tourism will continue to stimulate demand for more and better quality meats.