April 12, 2006

USDA expects US beef exports to hit 1 billion pounds in 2006

USDA raised its forecast for 2006 US beef exports by 145 million pounds to 1.05 billion pounds, up from its March prediction of 905 million pounds.

Higher than expected sales to Mexico and Canada contributed to the upward revision of the forecast despite Japan, a major market previously, remaining closed to US beef.

Mexico and Canada were two of the first countries to relax their bans on US beef after most countries halted imports in December 2003 because of mad-cow disease.

Mexico partially lifted its ban on US beef in March 2004 to allow boneless products from cattle under 30 months old. Two months ago, Mexico announced it would begin importing bone-in products beef cuts.