Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 2/24/15


USDA lowered its fiscal 2015 livestock, poultry, and dairy export forecasts by $1.9 billion to $31.8 billion as fewer shipments are expected for beef, pork, poultry, and dairy. This according to the agency’s latest Outlook for U.S. Agriculture Trade report. 

Beef is lowered $100 million to $6.5 billion on weaker demand due to higher U.S. prices and a stronger dollar.

Pork is forecast down $700 million to $4.8 billion as a strong dollar reduces competitiveness, more than offsetting the impact of a moderation in prices.

Poultry and products are cut $300 million to $6.1 billion due to weaker prices and demand.

Dairy is reduced $200 million to $6.5 billion as global prices remain weak and the strong U.S. dollar makes exports less competitive.

All agricultural exports to China are forecast down $400 million to $23.6 billion. This decline is primarily a result of weaker U.S. exports of hides and skins (of which China accounts for half of all U.S. shipments), as well as softening Chinese demand for U.S. pork, poultry and dairy products.

All agricultural exports to Japan is down $400 million to $12.3 billion as a result of expected lower U.S. shipments of pork and beef. Japan is the largest U.S. market for both of these products.

Exports to South Korea are down $100 million to $6.0 billion on weaker demand for U.S. pork and poultry.

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