Imported Beef Cheaper to US
US - Prices for imported beef into the US were cheaper again this week, with some product quotes limited due to slow trading activity, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.![Meat & Livestock Australia Meat & Livestock Australia](http://fs-1.5mpublishing.com/templates/mla.jpg)
However, there were also reportedly signs that the manufacturing beef market is reaching a position that could see it improve by the end of the US summer.
This is welcome news, given that 90CL cow beef this week was quoted at 176.5US¢/lb CIF - 18.5US¢ lower than this time last year.
However, retail beef prices are still high as a result of a relatively tight supply of high end loin cuts, MLA said.
The main positive drivers for the US market outlook include: the relatively low price of ground beef compared to chicken breasts, which have been heavily promoted in recent months – giving potential rise to more beef burger promotions; and an expected decline in the availability of NZ beef as slaughter slows through winter.
Additionally, there has been an improvement in pasture conditions in a number of US beef cow producing states – 56 per cent of beef cows are in states with 40 per cent of pasture rated good to excellent, compared with 42 per cent just two weeks ago.
TheCattleSite News Desk