Rapid rise in Korean beef imports first half 2016

Figures released by the Korean International Trade Association show the volume of Korean beef imports jumped 31% January to June 2016 compared to last year.

January to June values jumped 17%. Unit value in June was equivalent to US$5.70 per kg, slipping from the 6 months to June average unit value of $5.75 per kg. The annual unit value in 2015 was US$6.15 per kg. June 2016 beef imports from Australia totalled 15,245 tonnes and USA 12,812 tonnes. Australia was 52.4% of total Korean beef imports for first half 2016. USA was 39% of total first half imports.
Australian Jan-June 2016 beef exports increased 8.5% and the breakup of cuts is shown below.

Source: DA, MLA

Uruguay beef exports turn around in June 2016

Uruguayan beef imports into USA are down 30%, year to date, according to USDA at 18,178 tonnes. This is at least partially due to rejection issues earlier this year with USDA FSIS. Uruguay cattle slaughter was over 200,000 head in June 2016, 19% higher than the same month last year. Sheepmeat slaughter has been running well below 2015 in all months of 2016. Beef exports in June were the highest for the year. Beef export values were 9% down on last year in June 2016 and sheepmeat export values were almost 22% down. China accounted for 38% of meat exports, followed by the EU at 23% and USA at 14.4%. (up until July 2016). Average beef price in the latest week published was US$3,427 per tonne and sheepmeat US$4,496 per tonne. Beef values are running 10.5% lower than 2015 for the period to 16 July. Sheepmeat vales are running 9.3% lower than the first half of 2015.

Japan Moves Closer to Abolishing Domestic BSE Testing

The USDA FAS GAIN report dated 13 July 2016 and released today says: "the Food Safety Commission Prion Sub-Committee concluded its draft risk assessment of a proposal to abolish domestic bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) testing requirements for cattle 48-months of age and older."

Details are provided on the Japanese website.

Indonesian domestic market beef prices stuck at high levels

The Indonesian news media has conducted a running commentary on Lebaran or Idul Fitri in the country in relation to commodity prices and in particular to local market beef prices.

The local Jakarta market price trends are shown above. These are for beef hinds and the average price today was IDR 124 231 / kg. The quotes are obtained from the local reporting agency - Food Information Jakarta. Prices for beef items rose again today and this has caused commentary and complaints about policies and implementation by a range of government agencies. The average price of beef hinds converted at today's exchange rate of IDR9770 to AUD equates to AUD$12.71 per kg. Other beef average prices today were 117,073 kg. The upper end of this category was 130,000 kg.

Australian retail lamb - yield weighted price averages

Based on Woolworth's weekly grocery price catalogue, released each Wednesday, agInfo has calculated retail yield weighted lamb price trends.

Lamb racks courtesy of MLA beef and lamb

Regular featuring of lamb legs, shoulders, short loin chops and racks, has seen the yield weighted retail average trend down in 2016. The basis of yield weighting is to ensure that retail prices are weighted by the percentage yield of the cut in the whole value of the lamb carcase.

Namibia gains access to USA meat import market

Eligibility of Namibia To Export Meat Products to the United States A Rule by the Food Safety and Inspection Service on 07/13/2016

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat inspection regulations to add Namibia to the list of countries eligible to export meat and meat products to the United States. FSIS has reviewed Namibia's laws, regulations, and inspection system as implemented, and has determined that they are equivalent to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), the regulations implementing this statute, and the United States food safety system for meat and meat products.
Under this final rule, Namibia will only be able to export to the United States boneless (not ground) raw beef products, such as primal cuts, chuck, blade, and beef trimmings, processed in certified Namibian establishments, because FSIS only assessed Namibia's meat inspection system with respect to these products. Namibia would need to submit additional information for FSIS to review before FSIS would allow Namibia to export other beef product or product from other types of livestock to the United States. All products that Namibia exports to the United States will be subject to reinspection at United States ports-of-entry by FSIS inspectors.

Mexico commences export of pork to China

http://www.gob.mx/sagarpa/prensa/inicia-mexico-exportaciones-de-carne-de-cerdo-a-china

as a result of trade negotiations between the governments of Mexico and the People's Republic of China, today the starting signal to the first shipment of Mexican pork to the Asian country gave, with an estimate of achieving exports of between 20 and 30 thousand tons this product with a market value of one thousand 500 million pesos a year.