USDA says demand for imported meat in China remains “incredibly strong”
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a July update to its World Markets and Trade report on meat production and exports around the world.
In the report, USDA said that there were headwinds caused by covid-19, but that demand growth during the first five months of the year had exceeded expectations. It went on to say that demand for imported meat in China remains “incredibly strong”.
It is now forecasting global beef production for this year at 60.8 million tonnes, which would represent a fall of 1.5% compared to the figures USDA quotes for 2019.
It believes there will be a small increase in production in the European Union and Argentina, and a small decrease in the US. It predicts a sharper decrease in Brazil, of 2.3%. Figures for Australia, New Zealand and Mexico are likely to remain steady.
Demand for imported beef in China will increase by 4% this year, according to USDA’s latest assessment, reaching a total of 2.6 million tonnes. This would mean beef imports of 100,000 tonnes more this year than last.
USDA believes the global cattle herd will remain at just under 990 million head.
