041146 Pork Pulls U.S. Meat Residual Higher

Washington, DC - Increased usage of beef and poultry till prevent projected increases in output from adding to supply, while pork supplies are expected to rise in the United States, according to the latest estimates from the USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board.

The USDA said beef trade in 2005 is raised to reflect expectations of continued recovery in sales to Mexico. This could see beef exports rise from 443 million pounds in 2004 to a projected 620 million pounds in 2005.

"These forecasts do not assume a resumption of beef trade with Japan at this time. The United States and Japan have agreed to resume trade in beef once respective conditions have been met. The conditions are being determined and are subject to approval by each government," the USDA cautioned.

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