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Published: Oct 14, 2004
Worldwide                                                                                 

Mexico Dominates U.S. Beef Markets In First Eight Months

In the first eight months of 2004, more than 57 percent of U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports went to Mexico. U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports to Mexico totaled 102,748 metric tons (mt), a 56 percent decrease on the first eight months of 2003 due to the closing of the market in the beginning of the year and restrictions on what products can be exported. The value of U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports to Mexico fell 49 percent to $298.2 million. The European Union (30,480 metric tons (mt), valued at $21.2 million) was the second-largest destination for U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports for Jan.-August 2004. U.S. beef variety meat exports to the EU were 575 percent higher (29,026 mt). According to the USDA, U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports worldwide for Jan.-August 2004 totaled only 179,713 mt compared with 866,720 mt in Jan.-August 2003, a 79 percent fall. The value of exports fell 83 percent from $2.548 billion to $435.1 million.

A detailed breakdown of Jan-Aug 2004 beef export figures is available on the USMEF Web site.

U.S. Pork Exports Climb 32 Percent

U.S. pork (including variety meat) exports were 32 percent higher in volume (640,324 mt) in the first eight months of 2004 compared to the same period of 2003, and 34 percent higher in value at $1.386 billion. U.S. pork (including variety meat) exports to Japan were 7 percent higher in volume (209,691 mt) and 17 percent higher in value ($660.1 million), but Mexico was the No. 1 tonnage market with a 67 percent increase in volume to 213,021 mt and an 87 percent increase in value to $318.9 million.

A detailed breakdown of Jan-Aug 2004 pork export figures is available on the USMEF Web site.

Canada                                                                                         

Pre-Verification Procedures In Doubt

A spreading strike among Canadian officials is threatening to affect the pre-verification procedure for U.S. meat exports to Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA) has informed the Food Safety And Inspection Service (FSIS) that the pre-verification procedure indicated in the documentation sections of the Red Meat and Poultry Export Requirements for Canada and outlined in detail in the Export Procedures for Export of U.S. Product to Canada document may be periodically suspended due to possible strike action in Canada.

U.S. exporters should call (613) 228-4562 to determine the status of the pre-verification procedure before submitting FSIS Forms 9135-3 and 9135-3A export certificates to the CFIA Import Control Office for pre-clearance. If the recorded message at this phone number indicates the office is open, exporters should fax the certificate and information as usual. If the message says the office is closed, do not fax the paperwork. Instead, submit the completed documents to the Canadian importer before the shipment arrives at the port of entry.

Worldwide                                                                                 

Mexico Dominates U.S. Beef Markets In First Eight Months

In the first eight months of 2004, more than 57 percent of U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports went to Mexico. U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports to Mexico totaled 102,748 metric tons (mt), a 56 percent decrease on the first eight months of 2003 due to the closing of the market in the beginning of the year and restrictions on what products can be exported. The value of U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports to Mexico fell 49 percent to $298.2 million. The European Union (30,480 metric tons (mt), valued at $21.2 million) was the second-largest destination for U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports for Jan.-August 2004. U.S. beef variety meat exports to the EU were 575 percent higher (29,026 mt). According to the USDA, U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports worldwide for Jan.-August 2004 totaled only 179,713 mt compared with 866,720 mt in Jan.-August 2003, a 79 percent fall. The value of exports fell 83 percent from $2.548 billion to $435.1 million.

A detailed breakdown of Jan-Aug 2004 beef export figures is available on the USMEF Web site.

U.S. Pork Exports Climb 32 Percent

U.S. pork (including variety meat) exports were 32 percent higher in volume (640,324 mt) in the first eight months of 2004 compared to the same period of 2003, and 34 percent higher in value at $1.386 billion. U.S. pork (including variety meat) exports to Japan were 7 percent higher in volume (209,691 mt) and 17 percent higher in value ($660.1 million), but Mexico was the No. 1 tonnage market with a 67 percent increase in volume to 213,021 mt and an 87 percent increase in value to $318.9 million.

A detailed breakdown of Jan-Aug 2004 pork export figures is available on the USMEF Web site.

Canada                                                                                         

Pre-Verification Procedures In Doubt

A spreading strike among Canadian officials is threatening to affect the pre-verification procedure for U.S. meat exports to Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA) has informed the Food Safety And Inspection Service (FSIS) that the pre-verification procedure indicated in the documentation sections of the Red Meat and Poultry Export Requirements for Canada and outlined in detail in the Export Procedures for Export of U.S. Product to Canada document may be periodically suspended due to possible strike action in Canada.

U.S. exporters should call (613) 228-4562 to determine the status of the pre-verification procedure before submitting FSIS Forms 9135-3 and 9135-3A export certificates to the CFIA Import Control Office for pre-clearance. If the recorded message at this phone number indicates the office is open, exporters should fax the certificate and information as usual. If the message says the office is closed, do not fax the paperwork. Instead, submit the completed documents to the Canadian importer before the shipment arrives at the port of entry.