July Lamb Imports
9% Below A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service reports a total of 3254 metric tons, or 7.16 million pounds, of fresh, chilled and frozen lamb meat imported in July, down nine percent from last year.

July lamb meat imports from Australia, at 1988 metric tons, were up slightly, while imports from New Zealand were off 21 percent at 9232 mt. The year to date volume of lamb imports is up four percent at 22,903 mt. Australian shipments are up eight percent at 13,289 mt, New Zealand down four percent at 9232 mt.

Fresh and frozen mutton and goat meat imports in July were up 26 percent at 1059 mt. Australian shipments were up 38 percent at 992 mt., New Zealand down 41 percent at 66 mt. The year to date volume of mutton and goat meat was up 39 percent at 11,899 mt. Australian shipments were up 43 percent at 11,458 mt., New Zealand off 15 percent at 427 mt.

Live cattle imports in July totaled 83,505 head with 59,613 from Canada and 23,892 from Mexico. Cattle from Canada were mostly for slaughter; those from Mexico were feeders.

The year to date volume of imported cattle is up 14 percent at 1,200,688 head. Canadian cattle shipments were off six percent at 555,712 head, Mexican shipments up 38 percent at 644,976 head.

Hog imports in July totaled 175,272 head, mostly from Canada. Year to date hog imports were off five percent at 2,199,724 head.

Sheep, lamb and goat imports in July totaled 3259 head. Year to date shipments were down six percent at 32,728 head, all from Canada except 23 head from Mexico.

Feeder and slaughter cattle exports in July were 21,443 head, including 9062 to Canada and 12,305 to Mexico. The year to date volume is up 75 percent at 200,834 head. Exports to Canada were up 99 percent at 138,455 head, to Mexico up 37 percent at 62,125 head.

Breeding beef breed bulls exported in July totaled 183 head, bringing the year to date total to 2014 head, up 49 percent from a year ago. Canadian exports were 1010 head and Mexico 725 head. Female beef cattle exports in July were 448 head. The year to date total is down 25 percent at 1064 head. Around half of the shipments went to Mexico.