Asia
Australian beef demand holds in Japan as local demand falls
Japan's consumption of Australian beef is holding up, while demand for local beef is falling sharply, as concerns over irradiated cattle broaden, Melanie Brock, Japan regional manager for the marketing concern Meat & Livestock Australia Ltd., said Tuesday.
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Japan beef prices plunge amid concern about contamination
Japanese beef prices plunged over 50% in Tokyo trading Tuesday amid widespread anxiety over the exposure of cows to radioactive cesium, Kyodo News reported.
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Radiation concerns for Japan's beef supply
Concerns about radiation-tainted beef intensified Sunday in Japan as officials struggled to determine the scope of the problem and prevent further contamination of the meat supply.
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Nebraska beef, soy, corn groups visit Japan
Delegations representing Nebraska’s beef, soybean and corn industries got an in-depth look recently at beef and pork industry programs in Japan conducted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), as well as the opportunity to participate in USMEF’s Japan Relief and Recovery Effort to help victims of the March earthquake and tsunami.
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U.S. pork, beef exports post solid May results, market access issues linger
U.S. pork and beef exports in May exceeded year-ago levels by a considerable margin and kept year-to-date results on a very strong pace, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
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Radioactive straw likely source of contaminated meat in Japan
Food Manufacturing reports a farm in Fukushima, Japan ignored government instruction and used straw stored outdoors near the power plant explosion as cattle feed, presumably leading to contaminated meat.
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China top grain trader slams USDA on corn data
China's top grain trader, Cofco Ltd., has criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture over a recent report on corn acreage that sent prices plummeting last week.
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Senate Finance panel reschedules FTA debate
The Senate Finance committee plans to make another attempt to start informal debate on proposed trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama on July 7, after Republicans on the panel boycotted last week's meeting.
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USMEF Report: Seng provides view of devastation, relief efforts in Japan
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Philip Seng has just returned from a visit to the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan, the area hardest hit by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in early March.
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White House: Approve free-trade deals
The White House urged Congress Tuesday to quickly approve free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, after a deal was struck with lawmakers to restore benefits for job losses related to trade.
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Commodities market impact weather: Favorable heat for Midwest
Favorable Midwest heat, light Northern Plains rainfall, a variable Delta and Southeast trend, dry and hot for wheat harvest, additional West Texas heat, mixed trends in the Canadian Prairies, a hotter trend in northern China, periods of rain in central China, hotter and drier in western Europe, rainy and cool in Ukraine and Russia, and an mixed monsoon rain pattern in India are the main weather items for the commodity trade's attention.
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