By Jim Robb
The USDA came out with its latest update on meat imports and exports this past week. Farm Director Ron Hays spoke with Jim Robb, executive director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center, about his interpretation of the numbers presented by the department. According to him, they look very good.
“It was good news overall,” Robb said, “especially on the red meat side. For September beef, exports were up 30 percent year over year.”
It is quite a contrast compared to last year, Robb reflects, accounting for the market crater that began around July of last year. Just as importantly though, Robb points out that import numbers have decreased.
“The imports continue to erode,” Robb said, “so our beef imports were down dramatically. That was being driven by a 67 percent year over year decline in beef imports from Australia and New Zealand was down 33 percent.”
Robb insists that opportunities for US meat exports will continue for now as Australia starts the recovery process coming off their drought. But the big question remains - will this momentum continue in the long term? Robb seems to think that as we move forward, there is the possibility that we could pick up some demand potential as we push competition a bit more in the Asian markets alongside Australia as they deal with rebuilding their herds.
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