US beef exports to reach 1.65 billion pounds this year

The US' beef exports are expected to reach 1.65 billion pounds this year, up 15 percent from 2007, according to the USDA's latest Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook.

Exports in Q1 were 360 million pounds, a 34-percent increase from the same period last year. Shipments increased 29 percent year-on-year in April as well.

FAS Export Sales Reports show a seasonal increase of beef exports going to Japan. Exports to Canada and Mexico, currently the two largest export markets, are also expected to be higher than last year.

Beef imported into the US is expected to fall 9 percent in 2008, to 2.755 billion pounds.

Live cattle exports from the US continue to increase. Exports in Q1 2008 were nearly three times higher than last year, mainly driven by cattle going to Mexico.

This year 125,000 head of cattle are expected to be exported from the US, a 94-percent increase from 2007.

Imports are expected to reach 2.65 million head, up 6 percent from 2007's 2.5 million.