World meat industry news

International Trade Highlights: US Chicken Leg Quarter Export Update

Based on data, the US shipped a total of 131,876 metric tons (MT) of chicken leg quarters in May 2015, 2% lower than April 2015 (134,850 MT) and 1% lower than May 2014 (133,378 MT). A more drastic difference was seen in export values as the US shipped a total of $101,886,000 of chicken leg quarters in May 2015, 7% lower than April 2015 ($109,003,000) and 29% lower than May 2014 ($144,361,000).

The US exported a total of 14,787 MT of chicken leg quarters to Angola in May 2015 with 13,168 MT to Mexico, 9,882 MT to Cuba, 7,658 MT to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 6,845 MT to Taiwan, 6,757 MT to Iraq, 6,526 MT to Lithuania, 5,923 MT to Guatemala, 4,577 MT to Georgia, 3,807 MT to the Congo (Kinshasa).

From January-May 2015 the US exported a total of 627,700 MT of chicken leg quarters, 9% lower than the same time in 2014 (690,775 MT), 13% lower than 2013 (719,114 MT), 14% lower than 2012 (733,644 MT), 12% higher than 2011 (562,570 MT), and 1% higher than 2010 (621,496 MT) respectively. Again larger differences were seen in export values as the US shipped a total of $543,242,000 of chicken leg quarters from January-May 2015, 24% lower than the same time in 2014 ($710,517,000), 34% lower than 2013 ($818,115,000), 34% lower than 2012 ($824,287,000), 2% higher than 2011 ($533,097,000), and 6% higher than 2010 ($510,968,00) respectively.

The leading export market for US chicken leg quarters from January-May 2015 was Mexico with a total of 61,892 MT, 3% higher than 2014 (60,287 MT). Behind Mexico was Angola (50,895 MT), Cuba (48,075 MT), Taiwan (46,526 MT), Georgia (34,214 MT), Iraq (30,480 MT), United Arab Emirates (29,450 MT), Guatemala (26,471 MT), Vietnam (24,356 MT), and Lithuania (20,033 MT).

From January-March 2015 US leg quarter exports totaled 360,974 MT, 13% lower than the fourth quarter 2014 (412,736 MT) and 17% lower than first quarter 2014 (434,606 MT). The US exported a total of 266,726 MT of chicken leg quarters from April-May 2015, which is 33% less than second quarter 2014 (395,363 MT). Larger differences were seen in export values as the US exported a total of $332,353,00 of chicken leg quarters in first quarter 2015, 24% lower than fourth quarter 2014 ($434,465,000) and 23% lower than first quarter 2014 ($433,080,000). From April-May 2015 the US exported $210,888,000 of chicken leg quarters, 51% lower than second quarter 2014 ($427,926,000).

The US exported a total 1,675,136 MT of chicken leg quarters in 2014, 7% lower than 2013 (1,809,967 MT), 9% lower than 2012 (1,837,082 MT), 5% higher than 2011 (1,599,640 MT), and 5% lower than 2010 (1,755,692 MT). In 2014 the US exported a total of 214,045 MT to Angola, 141,714 MT to Mexico, 128,408 MT to Russia, 119,239 MT to Cuba, 82,110 MT to Iraq, 73,417 MT to Georgia, 66,899 MT to UAE, 57,153 MT to Guatemala, 49,079 MT to Ghana, and 47,594 MT to Taiwan.

Since December 2014, the USDA has confirmed several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (or migratory bird paths). According to USDA APHIS, the avian influenza outbreaks have primarily and directly affected the US turkey and shell egg industries with total losses of 7,559,500 young turkeys, 105,900 breeder turkeys, 34,245,200 egg layers, and 5,873,700 replacement egg layer pullets as of June 19, 2015. USDA APHIS recently posted a total loss of 48,091,293 on June 17, 2015.

The broiler industry has seen minimal to almost no direct impact by the disease outbreaks, but has been primarily indirectly impacted via subsequent international trade disruptions, which can be seen in the data in relation to lower price trends, higher frozen cold storage inventories, and lower export volumes and values. As of June 25, 2015 full-country bans on US live poultry and poultry products were imposed by 18 trading partners while 38 trading partners imposed regionalised bans on US live poultry and poultry products.

USDA FAS Trade Update

Recently, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) published U.S. red meat export and import data for May 2015. According to the figures, during May, U.S. exports of beef and veal cuts and beef variety meats totaled 88,472 MT. This was 4.1 percent lower than the previous month and was 10.9 percent lower than May 2014. More specifically, exports of fresh, chilled product equaled 24,972 MT, which was down 1.3 percent from the previous month and was down 18.1 percent from May 2014. Exports of frozen product were down 5.0 percent from the previous month but were up 4.9 percent over May 2014, equaling 35,943 MT. U.S. beef variety meat exports during May fell 6.4 percent from April to 24,283 MT. Also, this was 19.3 percent less than May 2014. Year-to-date beef variety meat exports totaled 124,206 MT, 11.2 percent lower than last year. During May, U.S. beef exports to Mexico fell 2.3 percent from the previous month to 16,818 MT. Total year-to-date beef exports to Mexico were 5.9 percent less than a year ago, amounting to 90,618 MT. Mexico was the main U.S. beef export market with 21.1 percent of the total. During May, the U.S. exported 17,964 MT of beef to Japan, which was 20.6 percent lower than the previous month. Year-to-date beef exports to Japan totaled 88,937 MT, 1.9 percent higher than last year. Beef exports to Canada during May rose 27.1 percent over the previous month to 11,503 MT. Total year-to-date beef exports to Canada were 12.3 percent less than last year, amounting to 49,468 MT. Overall, U.S. total year-to-date beef and veal and beef variety meat exports equaled 430,392 MT, which was 10.2 percent below the corresponding period a year ago.

U.S. exports of pork cuts and pork variety meats during May totaled 181,292 MT. This was 7.7 percent lower than the previous month and was 4.4 percent lower than May 2014. Specifically, fresh, chilled pork exports totaled 58,884 MT, which was down 7.1 percent from the previous month and was down 2.4 percent from May 2014. Frozen pork exports totaled 75,235 MT, which was down 12.0 percent from the previous month but was up 5.7 percent over May 2014. During May, U.S. pork variety meat exports fell 6.3 percent from the previous month to 31,817 MT. Also, this was 23.8 percent lower than May 2014. Total year-to-date pork variety meat exports were 9.4 percent less than a year ago, amounting to 181,036 MT. During May, the U.S. exported 52,581 MT of pork to Mexico, which was 9.1 percent lower than the previous month. Total year-to-date pork exports to Mexico equaled 287,048 MT, which was 5.3 percent greater than last year. Mexico was the largest U.S. pork export market with 32.2 percent of the total. Pork exports to Japan during May fell 14.4 percent from the previous month to 39,335 MT. Year-to-date pork exports to Japan were 10.6 percent less than a year ago, amounting to 189,184 MT. During May, the U.S. exported 16,228 MT of pork to South Korea. This was 26.2 percent lower than the previous month. Year-to-date pork exports to South Korea totaled 95,378 MT, 40.1 percent above a year ago. Overall, U.S. total year-to-date exports of pork cuts and pork variety meats equaled 892,230 MT, 5.8 percent lower than the same period a year ago.

During May, U.S. beef and veal imports totaled 101,748 MT. This was down 12.2 percent from April but was up 24.0 percent over May 2014. Specifically, imports of fresh, chilled beef equaled 35,104 MT, which was 8.6 percent lower than the previous month but was 17.6 percent higher than May 2014. Imports of frozen beef equaled 61,611 MT, which was 16.1 percent lower than the previous month but was 24.3 percent higher than May 2014. During May, the U.S. imported 37,428 MT of beef from Australia, which was 14.9 percent less than the previous month. Total year-to-date beef imports from Australia equaled 178,275 MT, 64.9 percent above a year ago. Australia was the largest beef import market for the U.S. with 34.9 percent of the total. U.S. beef imports from New Zealand during May fell 27.3 percent from the previous month to 22,530 MT. Yearto-date beef imports from New Zealand totaled 120,399 MT, which was 22.5 percent higher than last year. During May, the U.S. imported 16,773 MT of beef from Canada, which was down 9.2 percent from the previous month. Total year-to-date beef imports from Canada were 5.3 percent higher than last year, amounting to 88,435 MT. Year-to-date beef imports from Mexico reached 60,914 MT, which was 38.5 percent more than a year ago. Overall, U.S. total year-to-date beef and veal imports equaled 510,170 MT, which was 36.8 percent above the same period a year ago.

U.S. pork imports during May fell 6.3 percent from April and fell 1.3 percent from May 2014 to 35,501 MT. More specifically, fresh, chilled pork imports totaled 21,815 MT, which was unchanged from the previous month but was up 8.5 percent over May 2014. Frozen pork imports totaled 9,733 MT, which was down 19.1 percent from the previous month and was down 19.9 percent from May 2014. Pork imports from Canada during May fell 3.9 percent from the previous month to 27,756 MT. Year-todate pork imports from Canada totaled 151,122 MT, which was 21.0 percent higher than a year ago. Canada was the main supplier of pork to the U.S. with 77.8 percent of the total. During May, pork imports from Denmark fell 24.1 percent from the previous month to 2,411 MT. Total year-to-date pork imports from Denmark were 16.2 percent less than last year, amounting to 13,038 MT. Overall, U.S. total year-to-date pork imports equaled 194,343 MT, 20.0 percent above the corresponding period a year ago. To obtain additional U.S. trade data, visit the FAS websitehttps://www.fas.usda.gov/gats/.

North America

On June 26, USDA NASS released its quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. According to the data, the U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2015 equaled 66.90 million head. This was a little higher than the previous quarter and was 8.7 percent higher than a year ago. The breeding herd equaled 5.93 million head, which was nearly 1.0 percent lower than the previous quarter but was 1.2 percent higher than a year ago. The number of market hogs and pigs rose slightly over the previous quarter to 60.98 million head. Also, this was up 9.4 percent over a year ago. More specifically, market hogs and pigs weighing less than 50 pounds equaled 19.46 million head, which was 2.6 percent higher than the previous quarter and was 6.6 percent higher than a year ago. The number of market hogs and pigs weighing 50 to 119 pounds rose 1.4 percent over the previous quarter to 17.18 million head. Also, this was up 8.7 percent over a year ago. The number of market hogs and pigs weighing 120 to 179 pounds totaled 12.81 million head, which was down 5.3 percent from the previous quarter but was up 11.5 percent over a year ago. Market hogs and pigs weighing more than 180 pounds equaled 11.53 million head, 2.8 percent more than the previous quarter and 13.4 percent more than a year ago. The number of sows farrowed during the March to May time period totaled 2.85 million head. This was 1.4 percent higher than a year ago and accounted for 48.1 percent of the total breeding herd. During the same period, the pig crop totaled 29.56 million head, 7.5 percent more than a year ago. Pigs per litter totaled a record high 10.37 head, compared to 9.78 a year ago. The largest hog producing state was Iowa with 20.60 million head. This was up 5.6 percent over a year ago and comprised 30.8 percent of the nation’s total herd. The number of hogs under contract owned by operations with 5,000 head accounted for 46 percent of the total U.S. hog inventory, down from 48 percent last year. The complete report is available on the NASS website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

Oceania

Recently, Australia’s DAFF issued Australia’s red meat export data for June 2015. According to the numbers, during June, Australia’s beef and veal exports rose 1.0 percent over May to 118,713 MT. Also, this was up 15.0 percent over June 2014. More specifically, exports of frozen beef equaled 90,173 MT, which accounted for 76.0 percent of the total. Exports of fresh, chilled beef equaled 28,540 MT. During June, Australia exported 40,989 MT of beef to the U.S. Although this was down 2.2 percent from the previous month, it was up 35.8 percent over June 2014. During the first half of 2015, Australia’s beef exports to the U.S. were 47.7 percent above a year ago, totaling 227,149 MT. The U.S. was the primary beef export market for Australia with 35.1 percent of the total. Beef exports to Japan during June fell 1.0 percent from the previous month and 1.1 percent from June 2014 to 24,552 MT. First half beef exports to Japan were 7.4 percent more than a year ago, amounting to 141,814 MT.

During June, Australia exported 16,375 MT of beef to South Korea. This was up 12.6 percent over the previous month and was up 27.6 percent over June 2014. Year-to-date beef exports to South Korea reached 78,786 MT, 8.2 percent greater than last year. Australia’s beef exports to China during the first half of the year equaled 68,263 MT, which was slightly more than a year ago. Overall, during the first half of 2015, Australia’s total beef and veal exports equaled 646,686 MT, which was 10.6 percent higher than the corresponding period a year ago. During June, Australia’s lamb exports fell slightly from the previous month to 19,692 MT. Also, this was down a little from June 2014. Australia’s lamb exports to the Middle East during June totaled 6,816 MT. This was 14.9 percent more than the previous month and was 30.7 percent more than June 2014. During the first half of 2015, Australia exported 34,699 MT of lamb to the Middle East, which was 17.3 percent higher than last year. The Middle East was the largest lamb export market for Australia with 29.4 percent of the total. During June, Australia exported 3,425 MT of lamb to the U.S., which was down 22.5 percent from the previous month and was down 10.1 percent from June 2014. Total year-to-date lamb exports to the U.S. were 8.6 percent higher than last year, amounting to 24,362 MT. During June, Australia exported 4,256 MT of lamb to China. This was 69.4 percent higher than the previous month and was 25.1 percent higher than June 2014. During the first half of the year, Australia’s lamb exports to China equaled 16,387 MT, which was 15.9 percent lower than last year. Overall, during the first half of 2015, Australia’s total lamb exports reached 117,994 MT, which was 4.1 percent more than the same period a year ago.

Meanwhile, Australia’s mutton exports during June totaled 8,987 MT. This was 16.8 percent less than the previous month and was 22.7 percent less than June 2014. During June, Australia exported 3,590 MT of mutton to the Middle East, which was 18.7 percent lower than the previous month but was 10.0 percent higher than June 2014. Total year-to-date mutton exports to the Middle East were slightly less than a year ago, amounting to 27,456 MT. The Middle East was Australia’s main mutton export market with 35.9 percent of the total. During June, Australia exported 1,309 MT of mutton to China, which was down 14.7 percent from May and was down 57.0 percent from June 2014. During the first half of 2015, Australia’s mutton exports to China equaled 15,463 MT, 36.4 percent lower than a year ago. Year-to-date mutton exports to Malaysia were 2.1 percent greater than a year ago, totaling 8,035 MT. First half mutton exports to the U.S. reached 5,165 MT, 22.7 percent less than last year. Overall, Australia’s total mutton exports during the first half of 2015 equaled 76,548 MT, which was 17.7 percent below the corresponding period a year ago.

Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) recently issued Australia’s goat meat export data for the second quarter of 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, Australia’s goat meat exports equaled 6,195 MT. This was down 26.3 percent from the previous quarter and was down 23.0 percent from a year ago. During the second quarter, Australia’s goat meat exports to the U.S. fell 31.3 percent from the previous quarter to 3,422 MT. Also, this was 13.4 percent less than a year ago. Total goat meat exports to the U.S. during the first half of 2015 equaled 8,400 MT, which was 2.1 percent above a year ago. The U.S. was the main goat meat export market for Australia with 57.5 percent of the total. Australia’s goat meat exports to Taiwan during the second quarter equaled 700 MT. This was 45.9 percent lower than the previous quarter and was 59.7 percent lower than a year ago. Year-to-date goat meat exports to Taiwan were 37.4 percent less than last year, totaling 1,994 MT. Taiwan was the second largest buyer of goat meat from Australia with 13.7 percent of the total. Goat meat exports to the Caribbean during the second quarter rose 23.7 percent over the previous quarter to 684 MT. Also, this was up 24.4 percent over a year ago. Total year-to-date goat meat exports to the Caribbean equaled 1,237 MT, 11.8 percent more than last year. Overall, during the first half of 2015, Australia’s goat meat exports totaled 14,605 MT, which was 8.9 percent below the same period a year ago. To obtain additional red meat statistics for Australia, visit the DAFF website at https://www.daff.gov.au/.

Pacific Rim

Recently, Japan’s Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC) published Japan’s red meat import data for May 2015. According to the figures, during May, Japan imported 42,191 MT of beef. This was 27.1 percent lower than April but was 3.0 percent higher than May 2014. More specifically, imports of frozen beef equaled 26,218 MT, which was down 30.1 percent from the previous month but was up 15.0 percent over May 2014. Imports of fresh, chilled beef equaled 15,891 MT, which was down 21.9 percent from the previous month and was down 12.2 percent from May 2014. During May, Japan’s beef imports from Australia fell 39.1 percent from the previous month to 25,658 MT. However, this was 21.7 percent higher than May 2014. Year-todate beef imports from Australia were 14.0 percent more than a year ago, amounting to 119,738 MT. Australia was the main beef import market for Japan with 60.8 percent of the total. Japan’s beef imports from the U.S. during May totaled 13,627 MT. Although this was 5.5 percent more than the previous month, it was 17.1 percent less than May 2014. Total year-to-date beef imports from the U.S. reached 64,596 MT, 8.6 percent lower than last year. Beef imports from New Zealand during May totaled 1,536 MT, which was 22.3 percent lower than the previous month and was 37.7 percent lower than May 2014. Total year-todate beef imports from New Zealand were 20.3 percent less than a year ago, amounting to 9,090 MT. Overall, Japan’s total year-to-date beef imports equaled 203,652 MT, 5.5 percent above a year ago. Japan’s beef marketings during April totaled 79,420 MT, 28.8 percent more than the previous month and 3.7 percent more than last year. Marketings of imported beef were up 6.4 percent over last year, equaling 50,371 MT. Domestic beef marketings totaled 29,049 MT, which was 2.8 percent lower than last year. At the end of April, Japan’s beef stocks amounted to 134,909 MT, which was up 5.9 percent over the previous month and was up 26.5 percent over a year ago. Stocks of imported beef equaled 126,119 MT, 33.8 percent more than last year. Stocks of domestic beef totaled 8,790 MT, 29.1 percent lower than a year ago.

During May, Japan imported 68,954 MT of pork. This was 5.7 percent less than the previous month and was 4.8 percent less than May 2014. More specifically, frozen pork imports totaled 43,461 MT, which was 3.8 percent lower than the previous month and was 4.2 percent lower than May 2014. Fresh, chilled pork imported totaled 25,489 MT, which was 8.6 percent lower than the previous month and was 5.7 percent lower than May 2014. Pork imports from the U.S. during May equaled 26,337 MT. This was up 4.1 percent over April and was up 3.4 percent over May 2014. Year-to-date pork imports from the U.S. were 6.5 percent less than last year, amounting to 108,046 MT. The U.S. was the largest supplier of pork to Japan with 38.2 percent of the total imports. During May, Japan’s pork imports from Canada fell 10.2 percent from the previous month and fell slightly from May 2014 to 13,582 MT. Total year-to-date pork imports from Canada equaled 67,107 MT, 9.5 percent higher than last year. Japan’s pork imports from Denmark during May totaled 8,457 MT, which was 13.1 percent less than the previous month and was 23.3 percent less than May 2014. Year-to-date pork imports from Denmark totaled 40,938 MT, 25.8 percent lower than a year ago. Overall, Japan’s total year-to-date pork imports equaled 315,285 MT, 4.7 percent lower than the same period a year ago. Japan’s pork marketings during April decreased 1.5 percent from the previous month and 5.5 percent from a year ago to 138,720 MT. Imported pork marketings totaled 63,836 MT. which was 7.4 percent less than last year. Marketings of domestic pork imports were down 3.9 percent from a year ago, equaling 74,884 MT. At the end of April, Japan’s pork stocks totaled 187,909 MT, which was up 5.2 percent over the previous month and was up 14.4 percent over a year ago. Stocks of imported pork totaled 171,183 MT, 18.7 percent more than a year ago. Stocks of domestic pork equaled 16,726 MT, 16.4 percent lower than last year. Additional data on Japan’s red meat trade can be found on the ALIC website at https://lin.alic.go.jp/alic/statis/dome/data2/e_nstatis.htm.

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