U.S. beef export sales retreat, shipments higher

U.S. beef export sales fell 7 percent last week, remaining below the 27-week average and only 3,828 metric tons above the 27-week low. Sales fell 972 metric tons last week to total 12,957 MT. U.S. beef export sales were primarily to Japan (4,300 MT), followed by South Korea (2,700 MT), and Mexico (1,700 MT). Japan may increase orders of U.S. beef as rumors spread about Japan lifting restrictions on U.S. beef imports. The lighter restrictions could return Japans orders of U.S. beef to pre-2003 levels.

U.S. beef shipments improved 3 percent, up 478 metric tons to 16,106 MT. U.S. beef shipments recovered some of the previous week’s losses and returned above the 27-week average. Mexico received the most shipments with 3,400 metric tons, followed by Japan (3,000 MT) and South Korea (2,400 MT).

REPORT THIS WEEK LAST WEEK DIFFERENCE   Sales 12,957 13,929 -972 SALES 10 WEEKS 27 WEEKS THIS YEAR Average 14,802 16,193 16,573 High 17,975 23,620 35,163 Low 12,110 9,129 9,129

1. U.S. electricity prices grows 1.1% in 2013
2. Consider oats as a double crop after wheat
3. Jolley: What is to become of beef?
4. Ag markets moved generally higher Wednesday
5. U.S. coal prices steadily increase value
6. Angus breeders honored by the Beef Improvement Federation

1. Will Smith dethroned in latest Peterson Farm Bros. parody
2. 3,000 pounds of copper wire stolen from Oklahoma ranch
3. Crude oil expected to peak and cost of electricity to go down
4. Changes in U.S.-Mexican cattle and beef trade
5. Peterson Brothers: What summer vacation?
6. 2100: 11 billion mouths to feed

1. COOL isn’t working
2. Feedyard margins a train wreck, packers cozy
3. Canadian CJD cases are “classical" form
4. Jolley: What is to become of beef?
5. Will Smith dethroned in latest Peterson Farm Bros. parody
6. New ads emphasize agriculture’s role in economic recovery