May 23, 2008

US beef imports down 17 percent
 

The US' beef imports over Q1 2008 decreased 17 percent from the same period last year to 289,122 tonnes cwt, the lowest March quarter volume since 1999, Meat & Livestock Australia reported.

Shipments from Uruguay declined drastically by 84 percent in the quarter to 8,036 tonnes cwt.

Beef imports from Australia decreased 16 percent to 63,011 tonnes cwt mainly due to the low US dollar and better profits in other markets.

On the other hand, imports from New Zealand went up 9 percent in Q1 to 74,905 tonnes cwt.

Cow and heifer slaughter increased by 26 percent year-on-year during the January/February period as a result of dry conditions across New Zealand.