September 13, 2010
US beef import market eases
While imported manufacturing beef supplies in the US remain tight and US cow slaughter is running below year ago levels, the imported 90CL indicator fell 1.5¢ on last week, to 164US¢/lb CIF - the first weekly decline in nine weeks.
The US domestic fresh 90CL indicator dropped 3.5¢, to 164.5US¢/lb.
US cow slaughter is currently 2% below last year, but has started to lift on previous week levels due in part to a seasonal lift in beef cow slaughter, with producers tending to liquidate numbers as cooler conditions set in.
US beef cow slaughter is now tracking approximately 17% above year ago levels, at 69,796 head, but lower dairy cow slaughter is offsetting this rise.
