March 22, 2007

USDA:  US beef exports to slow in 2007
 

US beef exports is seen to slow in 2007 due to import policies in Asian markets, reports the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. 

The report has cited Japan where exports are not expected to accelerate in early 2007 as it only re-opened its market to US beef last fall.

USDA economist Monte Vandeveer said South Korea's rejection of US beef still remains an issue although he expects US beef will enter Seoul before long.

However, Vandeveer indicated that the bigger culprit for the lull of US beef exports is a projected decline in the growth of exports to Mexico due to its economic slowdown. 

The report also stated that "US exports have been constrained by a limited supply of age-verified cattle in the United States and by occasional suspension of exports from packers sending non-approved products in their shipments".