The Economic Impacts of 2015 Avian Influenza Outbreak on the U.S. Turkey Industry and the Loss Mitigating Role of Free Trade Agreements

We investigate the economic impacts of the 2015 HPAI outbreak on turkey producers in Minnesota and the United States. Using a partial equilibrium model of the meat and poultry industry we find that the cost of the outbreak to U.S turkey producers was $225 million; $207 million of which were due to the loss in exports. However, it could have been worse if not for implementation of regional bans by trading partners who have negotiated free trade agreements with the United States. Our results show that for every percentage point of additional exports, U.S. turkey producers avoided a loss of about $6 million.