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U.S. Pork Exports Record-Large in 2024; Beef Export Value Trends Higher
Exports of U.S. pork eclipsed previous highs in both volume and value in 2024, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef export value climbed 5% from 2023 despite a slight decrease in volume as unit export values were record high. Lamb exports trended higher than a year ago in both volume and value.
December pork exports totaled 267,132 metric tons (mt), slightly below last year’s large volume, while value increased...
ANALYSIS: Mexico-US Cattle Trade Suspension Impact
The US Department of Agriculture suspended Mexican cattle imports in late November 2024 after detecting New World Screwworm in Southern Mexico. This finding triggered immediate trade restrictions, resulting in estimated losses of roughly 270,000 head through January 2025. December-January trade historically represents 15% of annual cattle movement between both nations. After more than two months of suspended operations and extensive protocol reviews, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) worked with Mexican authorities to establish comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment procedures...
ANALYSIS: Australia’s January Beef Exports Ease into 2025 at 81,050 mt
Australia’s beef exports in January 2025 fell 36.4% month-on-month (m-o-m) to 81,050 metric tons (mt), according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF).
The 46,343 mt decline aligned with historical trends, as shipments contracted from December 2024’s strong 127,393 mt.
Asian importers’ preference for receiving products before the Lunar New Year led to higher shipments in December rather than January, particularly for Korea and China, which began receiving in-quota products on January 1. Australia’s seasonal shutdown and...
ANALYSIS: Uruguay’s Beef Exports Kick Off 2025 with 17.4% Monthly Growth, Up 3.9% Y-o-Y
Uruguay’s beef exports surged in January 2025, reaching 31,750 MT, marking a 17.4% increase M-o-M from December 2024’s 27,038 MT and a 3.9% rise Y-o-Y from January 2024’s 30,544 MT. While the overall trend shows resilience, the composition of shipments reveals shifting market dynamics, particularly concerning China’s slowing demand and the US’s growing share.
Shipments to China, the largest buyer, totaled 12,742 MT, capturing 40.1% of Uruguay’s total exports, which represents a 12.1% M-o-M increase. However...
What Trump Tariffs Mean for Food and Agriculture Trade
US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.
Tariffs for Canada and China are in effect as of February 4, while the tariffs on Mexico have been delayed for one month following negotiations with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who agreed to send 10,000 members of her country’s national guard to the border to address drug trafficking...
Trudeau: Trump Will Pause Tariffs on Canada for 30 Days
As of Monday evening, US President Trump will postpone 25% tariffs on Canada, Reuters reported after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote an X post about the matter.
After the day's second conversation with Trump, Trudeau wrote:
"I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting..."
Trump to Lay Out Trade Vision but Won't Impose New Tariffs Yet
President-elect Donald Trump is planning to issue a broad memorandum Monday that directs federal agencies to study trade policies and evaluate U.S. trade relationships with China and America's continental neighbors -- but stops short of imposing new tariffs on his first day in office, as many trading partners feared.
The presidential memo directs federal agencies to investigate and remedy persistent trade deficits and address unfair trade and currency policies by other nations, two longstanding Trump irritants. And it singles out China, Canada and Mexico for scrutiny, directing agencies...
APHIS Eases Trade Limits on Unvaccinated Poultry and Ducks from France and EPTR
The USDA's APHIS is easing trade restrictions imposed on October 1, 2023, regarding imports of unvaccinated live poultry from France and unvaccinated live ducks from the European Poultry Trade Region (EPTR), including Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
APHIS determined that the following live animal commodities are unlikely to receive vaccinations, and the HPAI vaccination campaign has not greatly impacted the risk of HPAI virus entering the U.S. through their importation:
ANALYSIS: U.S. Chicken Exports Experience Strong MoM Increase in November
Total exports were up month-over-month (MoM) by 5.7%, a contra-seasonal move compared to the 5-year average decrease of 3.1%. Interestingly, several of the top five destinations showed a MoM
decrease in the amount of U.S. chicken imported. However, Taiwan brought in much larger volumes than average, and the MoM decreases in production shipped to Vietnam and the Philippines were not as dramatic as the 5-year average. Additionally, several of the less prominent destinations brought in more production in November than October, influencing...
CME Group Announces Trading Hours for U.S. National Day of Mourning to Honor Former President Carter
CME Group, the world's leading derivatives marketplace, has announced that it will honor the passing of former President Jimmy Carter by implementing an early close for agricultural, equity and interest rate markets on the National Day of Mourning on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
U.S. equity markets will be open until 8:30 a.m. CT on January 9. All U.S. equity options expiring on January 9 will be moved to expire on January 8.
Interest rates and agricultural markets...
USMEF Explores Market Potential in Morocco During USDA Trade Mission
Risk mitigation and an underdeveloped supply-chain are among the market development challenges in this vital distribution hub for western Africa.
USMEF was among the 50 ag companies and organizations that recently visited Morocco during a trade mission hosted by USDA. Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley led the delegation, which participated in business-to-business meetings, met with Moroccan government officials, studied transportation logistics and visited retail and foodservice outlets in Casablanca. USMEF Africa Representatives Matt Copeland and Monty Brown, and USMEF Director of Trade Analysis Jessica Spreitzer...
USDA Imposes Animal Import Restrictions on Belize Due to Screwworm Threat
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a statement on January 7, 2025 regarding live animals originating from or transiting Belize.
Based on the confirmation of New World screwworm in cattle, restrictions have been imposed, effective January 3, 2025 until further notice on the importation of animal commodities.
The restriction omits the importation of dogs who carry a certificate confirming the animal has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to its shipment to...
Impact of the EU-Mercosur Agreement on EU Beef Market
After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, reached a landmark free-trade and cooperation agreement on December 6, 2024. In 2023, EU agri-food exports to Mercosur totalled €3.2 billion, and the new EU-Mercosur Free-Trade Agreement aims to substantially increase these exports by removing high tariffs on key EU export products. The following article examines the potential impact of the deal on the beef market...
Deep Global Recession May Start in Spring 2025, Warns Expana
The global economy today shows some parallels to past pre-recession periods. A world PMI below 50, elevated asset prices, for instance, are indicators of a slowdown in business activity.
Furthermore, rising tariffs, protectionist policies, or geopolitical disruptions could exacerbate trade slowdowns. Consumer spending is also paramount since it accounts for a significant portion of GDP. Monitoring retail sales, credit card usage, and savings rates will be critical.
With the global economy facing a myriad of challenges and uncertainties, the likelihood of a recession...
USMEF Partners with Sam’s Club on U.S. Beef Training and Promotion in China
U.S. beef played a prominent role in the recent grand opening of Sam’s Club’s 50th retail outlet in China. In addition to sampling and promotions during grand opening events, U.S. beef was featured the previous day at a special promotional event. To publicize the freshness of chilled U.S. beef available at the store, USMEF livestreamed the fabrication of a chilled U.S. beef carcass (see section at page bottom)...
Culinary Training Programs for U.S. Beef and Pork Continue at Caribbean Event
USMEF led a team of 16 culinary school instructors and training “ambassadors” from the Caribbean region to Miami last month to participate in training sessions and attend the Taste of the Caribbean and the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF). Taste of the Caribbean, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) annual culinary showcase of top young chefs, provides a forum for food and beverage professionals to gather practical information, develop skills, sample and purchase products, and strengthen supplier relationships while meeting new vendors...
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