Import ban on US chicks hits China's market

Beijing

CHINA'S near two-year ban on imports of US chickens used for breeding is threatening supplies of chicken meat in the world's second-largest poultry market, leading to the first shortfall in at least a decade and potentially pushing up prices.

China relies on imported breeding stock for production of white-feathered broiler chickens, the type used by fast-food chains, which account for more than half the country's chicken supply.