U.S. beef sales decline 27 percent

Beef exports fell 5,640 metric tons to 15,262 MT last week, falling below the average for the year. Beef sales were primarily to South Korea (3,100 MT), followed by U.S. neighbors Mexico (2,900 MT), and Canada (2,400 MT). Japan, who will lift restrictions on U.S. beef in 2012, purchased 1,000 metric tons of U.S. beef.

U.S. beef shipments increased last week by 1,200 metric tons to 17,605 MT. Shipments increased for the third consecutive week and is at a 10-week high. Beef shipments increased 7 percent with exports going primarily to Mexico (3,600 MT), Japan (2,700 MT) and South Korea (2,300 MT).

REPORT THIS WEEK LAST WEEK DIFFERENCE   Shipments 17,605 16,405 1,200 SHIPMENTS 10 WEEKS 27 WEEKS THIS YEAR Average 16,239 16,249 15,518 High 17,605 19,385 19,385 Low 13,523 13,523 7,378

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