U.S. beef imports are forecast to run 19 percent above the 2013 level and total 2.68 billion pounds this year, says USDA in its monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry report. “Imports have picked up in recent months owing to lower domestic beef production and strong consumer demand,” said USDA. “Strong import demand is expected to continue (through 2015) due to lower U.S. beef supplies and strong U.S. beef prices expected to draw supplies from abroad.” Beef imports tend to be processing-grade meat. Australia, New Zealand and Canada are the top suppliers.
Hog producers are sending heavier-weight animals to market to offset the impact of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, which has killed millions of piglets and reduced the hog supply. Slaughter hogs are expected to average 216 pounds for July-December, up 4 percent from the same period in 2013. Pork production is forecast to fall by 3.6 percent although the number of hogs sent to slaughter will be down by 7.5 percent, said USDA.