March 4, 2005
US beef forecasts off, while pork exports increase
US exports of beef and veal cuts and variety meats in December were down 59.9 per cent from a year ago, at 33,707 tonnes. Fresh, chilled beef was at 11,715 tonnes and frozen beef at 2,570 tonnes.
The US beef exports continue to suffer from the discovery of a single cow with BSE in December 2003, which was later discovered to be from Canada.
December exports of beef variety meats were down 34.3 per cent at 18,097 tonnes.
Total beef product exports for the year were down 74.8 per cent at 321,675 tonnes.
Total beef exports to Mexico in 2004 were down 41 per cent at 197,523 tonnes. Mexico was the major beef export market, taking 61.4 per cent of the total. Poland was second with 27,384 tonnes and Canada took 23,338 tonnes.
US beef and veal imports during December were 8.3 per cent more than a year ago at 104,698 tonnes. Fresh, chilled beef imports were 31,394 tonnes, and frozen 63,640 tonnes. During December 38,245 tonnes came from Australia, 27,991 tonnes from Canada, 14,332 tonnes from Uruguay, and 11,017 tonnes from New Zealand.
US beef and veal imports during 2004 were up 21.6 per cent at 1,196,569 tonnes. Imports from Australia were 373,068 tonnes, Canada 355,243 tonnes, New Zealand 214,689 tonnes, Uruguay 132,676 tonnes, Brazil 53,579 tonnes, and Argentina 28,163 tonnes.
US pork cuts and variety meat exports for 2004 were up 33 per cent at 948,074 tonnes. Exports to Japan were 309,676 tonnes, Mexico 325,040 tonnes, and Canada 110,992 tonnes.
US pork imports in 2004 were down 7.1 per cent at 475,641 tonnes. Pork imports from Canada were 388,412 tonnes and Denmark 58,631 tonnes.
