May 24, 2007

US beef exports to Japan may reach twofold in August -USMEF

The satisfaction of Japanese inspectors in its assessment of 27 US beef plants could probably double US beef exports to Japan as early as August this year, a meat industry group said on Wednesday (May 23).

According to Phil Seng, chief executive of the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said Japan, if pleased with the outcome of the inspections, would not test 100 percent of every shipment of US beef.

The plant inspections are due to be completed on Friday (May 25), Seng said.

Japan was the top buyer of US beef before the US reported its first case of mad cow disease in December 2003.

During the first three months of 2007 Japan, bought 28.35 million pounds of US beef, and in the calendar year 2006 it bought 51.64 million pounds.

USMEF officials were also pleased by news early on Wednesday that South Korea may ease restrictions on imports of US beef, following OIE's announcement in softening its stance on mad cow disease on US and Canadian cattle.

Prior to December 2003 mad cow disease case in the US, South Korea was an important export market for US beef, with US beef accounting for more than two-thirds of that country's beef imports.

Last year, South Korea partly lifted its ban on US beef, limiting imports to beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, providing bones and other parts deemed risky were removed.

The USMEF is an industry trade group that develops overseas markets for US beef, pork, and lamb.