US: First-half beef exports down 10% in volume
12/08/2015
The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) expected Australian beef production to fall this year as the industry entered herd-rebuilding mode after several years of poor grazing conditions. But with disappointing rainfall in Australia and attractive slaughter cattle prices, beef production and exports remained at record levels.
“We were aware that exports would be facing obstacles in 2015, and that keeping pace with last year’s record performance would be difficult,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “The first-quarter slump was partially due to the West Coast port labour impasse, as well as intense competition from countries that continue to recognise opportunities in several markets. We were expecting to see a stronger rebound in the second quarter – and that did not materialise.”
In the US, beef export volume in June was down 8% from a year ago to 96,716 mt, while export value fell 9% to $578.9 million. This was the second consecutive month that export value fell below last year’s level, resulting in first-half value being steady with 2014’s pace at $3.26 billion. First-half volume was down 10% to 527,109 mt.
Export value averaged $291.70 per head of fed slaughter, up 7 percent year-over-year.
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