Exports of U.S. breeding cattle to Russia in recent years has exceed those to Canada and Mexico....More

The U.S. Meat Export Federation expects the U.S. share of Japan’s imported beef market (about 26% in 2012) to increase quickly, eventually climbing above 50% as the U.S. reclaims its position as Japan’s No. 1 beef supplier....More

The office of the U.S. Trade Representative officially confirmed on Jan. 28 that Japan will relax its current rules on U.S. beef and raise the age of cattle eligible for export to Japan from 20 months or younger to under 30 months. The change makes the rules governing Japan exports consistent with those of other major Asian markets and will significantly increase the supply of product that could potentially be exported to this market....More

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the United States and Japan have agreed on new terms and conditions which pave the way for expanded exports of U.S. beef and beef products to Japan. Under these new terms, which enter into effect on Feb. 1, 2013, Japan will now permit the import of beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, compared to the previous limit of 20 months, among other steps...More

Beef exports in the first 11 months of 2012 accounted for 12.6 percent of total production (9.8 percent for just muscle cuts) with a per-head value of $214.64, up 5 percent from 2011....More

Ractopamine is a feed additive that improves the feed efficiency, growth rate and lean carcass percentage of live hogs and cattle, and it is approved by FDA as safe for use. So Russia’s recent announcement that it will require all imported meat products to be certified free of ractopamine has caused some consternation to U.S. industries that increasingly depend on foreign demand for U.S. pork and beef products....More

Under the U.S.-Panama free-trade agreement that took effect on Oct. 31, high-quality beef cuts and variety meat from the U.S. gain more market access as a result of falling duties. It’s the latest success story for U.S. beef exports into Central America....More

High prices are slowing U.S. beef exports, but producers aren’t seeing the impact. A challenging economic environment is making it difficult to match last year’s export volume, but U.S. products continue to command an excellent price in international markets and provide substantial returns to producers....More

A requirement for adult cattle in Texas to have an approved form of permanent identification in place at change of ownership will go into effect January 1, 2013 according to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)....More

In a risk assessment released Monday, Japan’s Food Safety Commission recommended that the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) change the country’s age limit on U.S. beef imports to 30 months, from the current 20 months or younger....More