Worldwide | | First Half 2002 Beef Statistics Register Volume Increase; Vari...

Worldwide

First Half 2002 Beef Statistics Register Volume Increase; Variety Meats Fall

Exports of U.S. beef muscle cuts for January-June, 2002 were seven percent higher in volume (397,876 metric tons (mt)) but five percent lower in value ($1.229 billion) compared to the first half of 2001, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A 30 percent decline in the volume of exports to Japan (120,380 mt) was offset by significant increases to South Korea (up 111 percent to 103,902 mt), Mexico (up 17 percent to 97,934 mt), Canada (up 4 percent to 40,766 mt), China/Hong Kong (up 88 percent to 10,349 mt) and Taiwan (up 32 percent to 7,447 mt).

The value of exports has declined because of a weak dollar, low U.S. prices and the decline in sales to Japan has meant lower-priced sales to other markets such as Korea.

Exports of U.S. beef variety meats fell 18 percent compared to last January-June to 203,837 mt. The Japanese market fell 52 percent to 46,234 mt and this hit the export statistics hard since Japan is the major market for U.S. beef tongues and intestines, items which don’t sell so well elsewhere. Beef variety meat exports increased to the other top markets, Mexico, Russia, the Middle East, South Korea and China.

First Half 2002 Pork Numbers Show 4 Percent Decline Worldwide

Exports of U.S. pork muscle cuts for January-June, 2002 were four percent lower in volume (272,559 mt) and five percent lower in value ($688 million) compared to the same period in 2001. A small decline in the volume of exports to Mexico (down 3 percent to 56,110 mt) and a large fall in exports to Russia (down 60 percent to 7,209 mt) were partially offset by a 2 percent increase in exports to Japan (140,388 mt) and significant increases to Canada (up 4 percent to 34,453 mt), South Korea (up 70 percent to 8,347 mt), and China/Hong Kong (up 12 percent to 7,370 mt).

Exports of U.S. pork variety meats increased 1 percent compared to last January-June to 86,732 mt. The leading market, Mexico, bought 28 percent more U.S. pork variety meats (50,645 mt) and exports to China/Hong Kong fell 16 percent to 16,969 mt, due to problems obtaining import permits in the aftermath of China’s joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). Sales to Russia were hard hit by competition from cheaper Brazilian product and fell 82 percent to 888 mt.

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