Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter at feedlots with capacities of 1,000+ head, totalled 11.0 million on March 1, 2008. The inventory was 2% up on March 1, 2007, but 1% lower than March 1, 2006, and was the second highest March inventory since records began in 1996. Export sales of raw hides for the four weeks under review showed China in their regular top position with 967,500 (780,200, 692,700) hides.
Hong Kong was in seventh place with 112,500 (114,000, 40,200), giving the region a combined total of 1,080,000 (894,200, 732,900).
Korea was again in second place with 519,600 (424,799, 442,000), followed by Taiwan with 178,300 (226,900, 78,599); Mexico with 137,900 (150,300, 78,000) and Thailand 136,800 (54,300, 49,200).
Vietnam came in sixth with 126,000 (70,300, 33,300). Japan came in for 50,300 (57,700, 68,400); Italy for 38,300 (46,500, 133,100); and Türkiye for 10,000 (32,700).
Canada purchased 2,400 (2,100, 2,300); and the UK and the Netherlands took 1,700 apiece. The UAE bought 1,400, Spain 1,100 and Saudi Arabia 900.
In addition to the raw hides, Japan also contracted for 19,200 calf and kip and Mexico 12,600. Relatively small amounts were taken by Hong Kong and Italy.
Sales of wet-blue for export during the period under review showed China with 230,600 (69,200, 83,600) followed by Taiwan with 84,900 (81,700, 15,500).
Mexico took 79,300 (68,100, 57,700); Hong Kong 70,000 (70,700, 64,100); the Dominican Republic with 69,600 (70,200, 58,600); and Italy with 29,500 (32,000, 72,600).
In seventh place, Korea contracted for 18,100 (49,500, 10,800) followed by Vietnam with 10,900 (10,400, 35,700).
Canada took 4,300 (5,800); and Germany 2,000 (2,000); and El Salvador 1,100 (1,300).
China’s combined total with Hong Kong amounted to 300,600 (139,900, 147,700). Hong Kong also purchased 864,800lb (1,731,000lb) of wet-blue splits and China 1,076,700lb (1,186,000) making a combined total of 1,941,500lb (2,849,700lb).
In third place, Korea accounted for 675,000lb (665,000lb) while Mexico took 44,000lb.
