Foreign Agricultural Service Archives

Washington, DC – US beef exports through May 2014 are up 6 percent from a year earlier, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Exports have strengthened to Hong Kong and Mexico, offsetting weaker shipments to Canada, Japan, and Taiwan.

Although exports to Japan had been running above year-earlier levels through April, they weakened in May. Imported beef stocks in Japan are well above year-earlier levels and consumption is stable.

Exports to Mexico have risen this year with shipments during May 48 percent higher than the previous May. Second-quarter exports were raised by 10 million pounds due to stronger demand from Hong Kong and Mexico, the FAS said.

The forecast for US beef exports in 2014 is 2.518 billion pounds, almost 3 percent lower than 2013.

Despite stronger shipments during the first 5 months of the year, exports are expected to fall during the remaining months.

Production is forecast to fall nearly 5 percent in 2014 and then 1 percent in 2015 due to reduced cattle inventories and higher heifer retention for herd rebuilding.

Prices, which have risen as a result of lower supply, the agency said, are likely to dampen export demand over the forecast period. The forecast for exports during 2015 is 2.425 billion pounds, 4 percent lower than 2014.

07/22/2014

Washington, DC – “Organic processed” products certified in the US or Korea can now be labeled as “organic” in either country, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The move, the FAS said, takes effect immediately and will allow American organic farmers, processors, and businesses greater access to Korea’s growing market for organic products.

Without the equivalency arrangement in place, organic farmers and businesses wanting to sell organic processed products in either country would have to obtain separate certifications to meet each country’s organic standards, the agency said.

This typically has meant two sets of fees, inspections, and paperwork, and delays for US farmers and businesses trying to export a variety of products including organic condiments, cereal, baby food, frozen meals, milk, and other processed products.

Similar to previous US equivalency arrangements with Canada, the European Union, and Japan, this arrangement with Korea eliminates significant barriers, especially for small and medium-sized organic businesses.

This arrangement is Korea’s first organic equivalency arrangement with any trading partner and serves as an example of how closely the US is working with Korea to address emerging issues and strengthen the trade relationship.

Prior to the announcement of the new arrangement, US and Korean technical experts reportedly conducted several on-site audits to ensure that their programs’ regulations, quality control measures, certification requirements, and labeling practices were compatible.

According to US industry estimates, exports of organic processed products from the United States are valued at approximately $35 million annually.

Korea’s National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service and the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program—which oversee organic products in their respective countries—will oversee implementation of the new arrangement.

Both countries, the FAS said, “will continue to have regular discussions and will review each other’s programs periodically to ensure that the terms of the arrangement are being met.”

07/15/2014

US Beef Exports Up 6 Percent Overall, Says USDA

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