US chicken paw exports to China fall to US$75.9M as HPAI restrictions tighten trade
Brazil and Russia expand market share as US shipments decline.
USA – US exports of raw chicken paws to China have declined significantly, with import value falling to US$75.92 million in 2025, according to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service poultry market update on China.
Chicken paws, which account for a large share of US frozen poultry shipments to China, have been affected by ongoing trade restrictions linked to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Chinese authorities continue to restrict imports from certain US states despite a regionalisation agreement introduced in 2020, limiting access for affected suppliers.
Additional constraints, including stricter testing requirements for veterinary drug residues in poultry imports, have further reduced the volume of US shipments entering the market.
Competing exporters fill supply gap
Brazil and Russia have increased their presence in China’s poultry import market as US volumes decline, supplying significant quantities of chicken paws and other poultry products.
Brazil, Thailand, and Russia remain the main suppliers of chicken meat to China overall, with Brazil accounting for more than half of total imports in recent years.
Imported poultry products are mainly used in China’s food processing and foodservice sectors, including sausages, nuggets, and ready-to-cook items.
US chicken paws, particularly larger grades, are valued in China for their texture and suitability for traditional dishes such as dim sum.
However, reduced access to US supply has constrained availability for processors and foodservice operators dependent on imported specifications.
The USDA noted that rising domestic broiler production in China may partially offset supply shortages, although locally produced chicken paws are generally smaller and of lower quality compared with imported products.
Trade analysts said ongoing HPAI-related restrictions are expected to continue shaping US poultry export performance unless market access conditions improve.
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