Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 2/17/14


USDA expects U.S. red meat and poultry exports to rise over the next decade.
In its “USDA Agricultural Projections to 2023” report the agency said rising exports will reflect steady global economic growth, a continued weak U.S. dollar and foreign demand for selected meat cuts and parts from the large U.S. market.

Beef
Most U.S. beef exports are high-quality, grain-fed beef that typically go to Mexico, Canada and Pacific Rim nations.

A continuing recovery is assumed for U.S. beef exports to Japan and South Korea, export markets that were closed to the United States for several years following the first U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in December 2003.

U.S. imports of processing beef increase in the projection period as herd rebuilding and relatively low beef cow slaughter in the United States raise import demand. This import demand will likely be met by increased purchases from Australia, New Zealand and NAFTA countries.

Pork
U.S pork exports are projected to rise over the next decade as production efficiency in the U.S. pork sector enhances the sector’s international competitiveness.

Pacific Rim nations and Mexico are key markets for long-term growth of U.S. pork exports.
Russia is assumed to continue using investment and trade policies to facilitate expansion of its domestic pork industry and limit reliance on imports, affecting pork exports from the United States and Brazil the most.

Chicken
USDA predicted U.S. broiler exports would rise though the projection period.
Major U.S. export markets include China and Mexico, but U.S. broiler exports also have been increasing to a number of other countries. Longer-term gains in these markets reflect their economic growth and increasing consumer demand.

International demand for broilers also remains strong because of its lower cost relative to beef and pork.
U.S. poultry producers continue to face strong competition from other major exporters, particularly Brazil.
Over the projection period, most exports from Thailand and China will continue to be fully cooked products, although Thai export gains also reflect the reopening of trade in uncooked chicken products from that country to the EU.

As noted for pork, Russia also is assumed to support its domestic poultry industry with investment and trade policies.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.