Please note
The discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or mad cow
disease) in a dairy cow in Washington State in December 2003 has
caused importing countries to either ban or restrict beef and cattle
imports from the United States. Due to the uncertainties associated
with these bans, it is assumed that these restrictions will remain
in place until importing countries announce a policy change. For
the most current U.S. meat and animal trade outlook, see the Livestock,
Dairy, and Poultry Outlook report.
Annual trade statistics reported here are finalized each spring.
In addition, recent trade data are presented for major meats and
livestock on a monthly
basis, as well as year-to-date
and annual, and for year-to-date
imports under tariff-rate quotas. As of July 2004, the trade-related
tables contain expanded
coverage of additional variables and regions, with historical
data available for these additions. Export data are for major
U.S. markets; import data are for major supplying countries.
The United States, while the largest producer of beef in the world,
is a net beef importer. Most beef produced and exported from the
United States is grain-finished, high-quality choice cuts. Most
beef that the United States imports is grass-fed beef, destined
for processing, primarily as ground beef.
The largest export market for U.S. beef is Japan,
which through 2000 imported at least twice as much U.S. beef as
the second-largest U.S. export market. However, imports by Japan
fell by about one-third late in 2001 when BSE was discovered in
the Japanese cattle herd. Mexico is the second-largest market for
U.S. beef, and continued growth is expected but at a slower pace
than in the past. The third-largest export market for U.S. beef,
and the fastest growing, has been South Korea. The Korean market
became fully liberalized at the end of 2001 and rapid growth is
expected to continue. Canada, in fourth place, has been gradually
declining in importance for several years. The Canadian market is
expected to grow slowly at best.
Over the past several years, the largest percentage
of U.S. beef imports has come from Australia, with Canada a close
second. The third-largest exporter of beef to the United States
is New Zealand. The United States also imports a significant portion
of its cooked beef from Argentina and Brazil, but their combined
share of the U.S. beef market is less than half that of the three
largest exporters. The remainder of U.S. beef imports comes from
Central America and Uruguay.
In May 2003, Canada reported the discovery of a case of BSE in
one of its beef cows. Cattle and beef products from Canada were
barred entry into the United States after the announcement. In August
2003, beef imports from Canada resumed but were restricted to boneless
products from cattle under 30 months of age. As of early 2004, the
trade situation continues to evolve as officials review the risks
and revise trading rules accordingly.
The United States imports a significantly greater
volume of cattle than it exports. The countries from which the United
States imports cattle are also the same ones to which it exports
cattle: Canada and Mexico. The geographical proximity of these countries
and complementarity of their cattle and beef sectors explains why
they are the United States' only significant cattle trading partners.
Imports of Canadian cattle into the United States, however, have
been banned since the May 2003 BSE announcement.
U.S. cattle exports to Canada and Mexico vary from
year to year in the relative percentage exported to each country,
although the absolute level of trade has been greater over the last
several years. Historically, the United States exported primarily
slaughter cattle to both countries. However, changes in Canada's
policies have led to increased exports of feeder cattle.
In past years, cattle imports from Canada and Mexico have varied.
The relative share of cattle imported from Mexico has tended to
increase over the last several years. Imports from Mexico tend to
be lighter cattle for finishing in U.S. feedlots, while those from
Canada tended to be primarily for slaughter.
for more information, contact:
Dale Leuck or Monte
Vanderveer
web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov
page updated: February 18,
2004
|