Browse Data and Analysis

In 2023, Post forecasts that cattle production will grow 1.3 percent, to 48.5 million cattle head, as the Brazilian cattle sector reaches its peak in the production cycle.

U.S. beef exports under the EU High Quality Beef (HQB) quota increased by over 2,000 metric tons (MT) in 2022, to 13,438 MT. The quota usage rate increased to 52.9 percent, up from 50.1 percent in 2021, despite an increase in the quota from 23,000 MT in 2021 to 25,400 MT in 2022.

After a major decrease in 2022, Ukraine’s cattle and swine population is expected to decline further in 2023. Although some war-related factors have already had their negative impact, the refugee crisis, disposable income drops, and a weakened economy are expected to depress livestock sector development further.

In 2023, Mexico’s beef production is forecast to slightly increase, but faces slower consumption growth on a year-to-year basis as food inflation soars. As herd numbers increase, overall cattle slaughter is expected to rise. Carcass weights are expected to marginally decrease in 2023 and are offset by larger slaughter numbers of slightly younger animals.

In 2021, the Chilean economy grew by 11.7 percent. Government support programs increased disposable income for many consumers, putting upward pressure on consumption of beef, pork, and chicken.

Japan has a well-developed food retail market that demands high-quality, high-value agricultural and food products. Despite reduced economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, trade data show that agricultural imports have remained resilient.

On January 17, 2023, the Indian government issued Notification No. 25/2022-23) proposing draft guidelines to streamline the halal certification process for export of meat and meat products from India.

Peru is the third-largest South American market for U.S. consumer-oriented agricultural products. Increasing wealth and lower barriers to entry were facilitated by the implementation of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA), resulting in a 423-percent increase in consumer-oriented exports from $65 million in 2009 to $340 million in 2021.

On December 29, 2022, the Ministry of Trade and Integration announced the first stage of 2023 meat and poultry quotas by HS code for historic suppliers (i.e., importers). The first stage approved the distribution of 2,835 tons of beef and 31,500 tons of poultry.

U.S. agricultural exports to China in fiscal year (FY) 2022 were $36.4 billion and surpassed the previous year’s record with China as the largest export market for the second consecutive year. Significantly higher agricultural prices and resilient demand helped drive exports above the previous year’s record despite lower volumes for most products.

U.S. beef exports to East Asia in 2022 are again on record pace after a record year in 2021. Despite economic uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued global supply chain challenges, and a competitive global beef market, U.S. beef exports to East Asia, both in value and volume, were outstanding in the first half of 2022.

In 2021 and 2022 to date, the Bulgarian livestock industry has successfully recovered following the 2019 African Swine Fever (ASF) crisis. The major challenges in 2021/2022 were related to sharply increasing feed grain and energy prices, skyrocketing inflation, and fluctuations in consumer demand related to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.