Prices firm on low slaughter

The latest on the Japanese ban on US beef is that the Japanese experts have told USDA that they are 'basically content' with USDA measures to protect the country's beef against BSE. They first plan to inspect all US plants who wish to export beef to the Japanese market; if no problems occur trade could resume in July.

China has also given assurance that they will resume imports of US beef, however, at the time of going to press the talks were not yet completed.

During the period under review, Korean teams were in the process of visiting major US exporters to certify that the meat they are producing is safe for Korean consumers.

A fast-track plan to resume imports of Canadian cattle of more than 30 months of age floundered with the discovery of two new cases of BSE in Canada this year. Hopes that imports might be restored as early as September have been dashed.

The May day holidays caused some disruption when workers announced their intention of taking part in the May 1 demonstrations. Employees are reported to be concerned about the HR-4437 bill, passed by the US House of Representatives, that proposes a fence be constructed along much of the US/Mexican border. Moreover, all illegal immigrants will in future be declared to be felons.

Cargill/Excel changed their schedules to allow five of their US beef and two hog plants to close to allow their workers to participate. Tyson said five of their nine beef plants and six pork facilities closed for the day.

US raw hides sold for export in the four-week period ended May 4 once again saw China in its usual top position with 988,900, down from 1,051,700 four weeks earlier. Korea again in second place with 594,600, up from 374,800.

Taiwan, in third place, took 262,100 (341,500). Japan was next in line with 144,100 (116,800) , then Thailand with 89,800 (74,100) and Italy 61,500 (11,300).

Mexico came in with 43,500 (87,600) followed by Hong Kong with 39,400 (142,200). Vietnam bought 24,800 (10,100); Dominican Republic 8,000 (12,800); Spain 2,700 (700) and Türkiye 1,600.

China and Hong Kong took a combined total of 1,028,300 (1,193,900 during our last four-week review and 1,439,200 the month before that).

Italy also purchased 23,900 calf and kip (16,900) , Japan 21,700 (13,100) calf and kip and China 11,900 calf.

This time China were in the lead on the wet-blue front with 307,300 (27,700) while Italy again took second position with 296,100 (60,400). Hong Kong was in third place with 134,300 (152,500).

Korea came next with 60,000 (32,700), followed by the Dominican Republic with 54,700 (41,000), Mexico 34,800 (27,800), Indonesia 14,000 (16,000), India 8,900 and Taiwan 8,200 (28,400).

Thailand took 6,500 (44,700). Japan 4,000 (2,500), El Salvador 4,000 (1,300), Spain 2,300 (1,200) and Canada 1,300 (1,300).

This gave China and Hong Kong a combined total of 441,600 against 180,200 a month earlier and 194,500 the month before that.

Hong Kong took 1,724,500lb in wet-blue splits while China bought 1,358,000 giving them a grand total of 3,083,000. In the last four week period Hong Kong and China together purchased 3,016,400lb. However, there was also a 140,700lb 'adjustment/cancellation' to China and a further 36,100 cancellation for Hong Kong. Other contenders were Indonesia with 176,000 (761,600lb), Italy 45,000lb, Korea 45,000lb (94,000lb) and the Dominican Republic 44,000.

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