Market context and the strengths and weaknesses of pig slurry and poultry wastes intended for export

Poultry waste and the process co-products from pig slurry have to be transferred for reduction of surplus, particularly surplus phosphorous. The poultry sector exports an estimated 700,000 tonnes of unprocessed poultry manure and caged layer waste. The transfer of process co-products from pig slurry is recent practice.Following the boom in treatment, the production of refuse from phase separation, which is currently estimated at around 55,000 tonnes, may eventually reach 130,000 tonnes of mature product. It is important that the extra costs generated by exporting are compensated by the sale of this organic product in the best conditions. Operators need to adapt to a range of constraints: distance from user zones, regulatory requirements, and the management of product image and agronomic market value.This paper therefore outlines the strengths and weaknesses of pig slurry and poultry wastes intended for export.