Mexico's economy ministry has accused the United States of engaging in price dumping with its chicken exports but added that it would not take action for the time being. The ministry said it had concluded that U.S. exporters were guilty of engaging in an "unfair" trade practice with its sales of chicken legs and thighs to Mexico. It did not provide additional details of its findings, reports Reuters.

The ministry's foreign trade commission COCEX said it would not pursue retaliatory measures because of disruptions caused by a recent outbreak of bird flu in western Mexico.

Chicken prices have risen due to the bird flu outbreak and any decision to impose anti-dumping tariffs would require further action from the commission, the ministry said.

The major U.S. chicken exporters association disputed the Mexican government's assertion.

"We have maintained from the beginning that we are not dumping product," James Sumner, president of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, told Reuters.

He added that it was "in the best interest of the United States and Mexico to avert any major trade disruptions."

Source: Reuters