May 18, 2009

US beef exports during March rose five percent on-year, while shipment value increased four percent.

US beef shipments to Japan continued to gather pace, rising 42 percent in March due to the increased availability of US cattle under 20 months of age. The supply of eligible US cattle is expected to continue increasing through to mid-year.

While shipments to South Korea in March were significantly higher from last year, exports from month-to-month have slowed since the start of 2009.

In the first quarter of 2009, US beef exports grew seven percent on-year, with much of the increase reflecting the reopening of the North Asian markets, as shipments to Mexico and Canada fell.

The decline to those two markets was due to their slumping currencies and a decline in live cattle imports from Canada and Mexico. Meanwhile, US beef exports to Vietnam have more than doubled this year.