March 24, 2004

USDA Projects 2004 US Beef Exports At 195,000 MT, Impts At 1.51 Million

The U.S. Department of Agriculture projected Tuesday, U.S. exports of beef and veal in 2004 would decrease by 83.0% from 2003 to 195,000 metric tons and imports would increase by 10.8% to 1.510 million metric tons.
 
MAJOR EXPORTERS:
 
Brazil, the world's largest exporter of beef, is expected to expand exports by 14.9% from 2003 to 1.350 million metric tons.
 
Australia export projections in 2004 for Brazil are up 14.9% from 2003 to 1.350 million metric tons.
 
USDA predicts Canada will increase exports of beef in 2004 by 47.1% from 2003 to 565,000 metric tons.
 
MAJOR IMPORTERS:
 
Japan, the world's third largest leading importer of beef, is is estimated to decreased imports in 2004 by 35.8% from 2003 to 520,000 metric tons.
 
In 1,000 metric tons (carcas weight equivalent). 2004 data is projected, 2003 data is preliminary and 2002 data is final. Percent changes are from the previous year.
 
Source: USDA Foreign Agriculture Service.
 
EXPORTS
Country            2004   % chg       2003   % chg      2002   % chg
Brazil               1,350     14.9      1,175     33.4        881     17.8
Australia          1,300       3.1      1,261     -7.6      1,365     -2.4
Canada               565     47.1        384    -37.0        610      6.1
N Zealand           560      -3.1        578     14.5        505     -2.1
India                  520      11.8        465     11.8        416     12.4
Argentina           420        9.4        384     10.3        348    105.9
EU                     360     -10.0        400    -21.9        512    -11.0
Uruguay             330        5.1        314     21.2        259     78.6
Ukraine              140     -18.6        172     17.8        146     49.0
Rep of China        45        4.7          43      0.0          43    -28.3
Others                 95     -12.8        109    -42.0        188     43.5
  Ttl Foreign     5,685        7.6      5,285      0.2      5,273     10.2
  Ttl US              195     -83.0      1,144      3.1      1,110      7.9
  Ttl World       5,880       -8.5      6,429      0.7      6,383      9.8
 
IMPORTS
Country           2004   % chg       2003   % chg       2002   % chg
Russian Fed       650     10.2         590    -10.6         660       1.5
EU                    560       1.8         550       6.2         518     25.4
Japan               520    -35.8         810      19.5         678    -29.0
Mexico              250    -32.4         370    -24.3         489      14.8
Canada             230    -16.1         274    -10.7         307       2.7
Rep of Korea     200    -55.0         444       3.3         430      74.8
Phillipines          125       4.2         120     -4.8          126      21.2
Egypt                100       0.0         100    -38.3         162      19.1
Taiwan               85     -13.3          98      10.1          89      14.1
Brazil                 70      11.1          63     -19.2          78      77.3
Others              175     -12.9        201     -11.8        228        5.6
  Ttl Foreign    2,965     -18.1     3,620      -3.9      3,765        5.6
  Ttl US          1,510      10.8      1,363      -6.6      1,460       1.7
  Ttl World      4,475     -10.2      4,983      -4.6      5,225       4.5