September 21, 2007

US beef to reach 10 million pounds in 3Q

Beef production in the United States is estimated to reach 10 million pounds in the third quarter of this year to 370 million pounds after second quarter exports came higher than expected at 363 million pounds, figures from US cattle website Cattle Network show. 

Exports in July-164.8 million pounds-has jumped to 59 percent compared in July 2006 over increased shipments to Japan and South Korea. An interruption in South Korean exports due to the discovery of banned bone materials in US shipments has likely dropped considerable exports in August, but this data will not be available until October 11. The resumption of exports and Japan's continued acceptance of US beef could grow exports further this year. Total beef exports in 2007 are expected to be 1.39 billion pounds, almost 22 percent greater than last year while forecast for 2008 is more than 21 percent above expected beef exports for this year.