May 6, 2008

World beef output to reach 61 million tonnes this year

Global beef production will grow by 1 percent in 2008 to almost 61 million tonnes, according to the latest forecasts released by the USDA.

The increase will be driven mainly by the rising levels of output in the US, Brazil, China, India and Mexico, which will compensate for falling beef production in the EU, Argentina, Australia, Russia and Canada.

Output in the US, the largest beef producer, will go up by 1 percent to 12.2 million tonnes as a result of strong levels of cow slaughtering and heavier carcass weights.

Production will grow by 3 percent in China to 7.7 million tonnes and by 6 percent in India to 2.66 million tonnes.

Global beef consumption will reach 60.5 million tonnes up 1 percent from 2007.

Exports will increase by 1 percent to 7.7 million tonnes because of increased exports from India, the US and Uruguay.

Beef imports will remain at about 7.2 million tonnes, said the USDA.