May 20, 2008

US beef export sales achieve weekly record
 

Beef companies in the US sold a record 45.16 million pounds of beef, or 1,129 loads for export during the week ended May 16, the USDA reported Monday, May 19.

This is the largest export sale of beef reported under the weekly National Comprehensive Boxed Beef Cutout, said Erica Rosa, agriculture economist at the Livestock Marketing Information Center.

The weekly report began in January 2002 and the export component reflects the amount of beef that has been sold during the designated week, but not necessarily shipped, explained Rosa.

The USDA has estimated that US beef exports this year will reach 1.645 billion pounds, up 15 percent from 2007.