US Beef Exports Showing Positive Signs, Despite Lower April Volumes

April exports of US beef were below the volumes recorded a year ago but there are positive developments in play, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Through the first four months of 2016, beef exports were steady with last year’s pace in volume, but fell 13 per cent in value.

“Although volumes were lower year-over-year, we did see encouraging signs in the April export results,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng.

“For US beef, improvement in Mexico and other Western Hemisphere markets was a very positive development. USMEF has worked closely with the retail and foodservice sectors to promote under-utilised cuts and overcome our price challenges in these markets, and those efforts are definitely paying dividends.” – Click here to read more.

In the UK, the risk of Bluetongue spread from France will start to increase with daily average temperatures heading into summer, concludes the latest situation report from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Bluetongue has been spreading around France for some time, and the country has now reported 285 outbreaks, according to APHA's report.

Vaccine has been made available for the UK market from July onwards, but the decision to vaccinate should be with the farmer, in consultation with their private veterinary surgeon, APHA said – read more.