Due to the contraction in domestic production, it is estimated that by the end of the year beef imports will have risen by 19% compared to 2013.
From statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
An increase is expected in imports of beef in the United States
According to data from the Economic Research Service of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is expected that imports of beef at the end of the year will have a total volume of about 2.684 million pounds, which represents a increase of 19% compared to 2013. The USDA also estimates that this behavior could be maintained for 2015 and the year could end with an increase of 0.6%.
An announcement has been made that the South American country has been authorized to export a type of beef produced without hormones or antibiotics, endorsed by the Department of Agriculture.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (Procomer):
The Department of Agriculture (USDA has authorized Uruguay to deliver a new meat product, according to the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) of this country, Tabaré Aguerre.
American health authorities have lifted the restriction on the import of meat from the province of Patagonia, Argentina, in force since 2001.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (Procomer):
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the Department of Agriculture of the United States announced the lifting of the ban that was placed on beef imports from Argentina more than 13 years ago.
The number of cattle held by the largest producer of beef in the world is the lowest in the past 63 years, leading to futures prices in January rising to $1,432 per pound of meat.
In the U.S., a shortfall in the amount of livestock is negatively affecting this year's meat production, which is expected to be the lowest in the last two decades, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). This industry is worth about $85 billion.
A new law establishes that labels must identify the country or countries where every step of production took place, such as birth, rearing and slaughter of the animal.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule to amend the provisions of labeling for cuts of beef under the program Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the use of a label for meat and poultry which certifies it is free of genetically modified organisms.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a label for meat and poultry products which states that they are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or transgenic substances.
It has been projected that in 2013 global beef exports will grow by 7.6%, approaching 9 million tons.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Projections for 2013 indicate that the expansion of international trade of beef will continue, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), world beef exports will grow by 7.6% and will be located around 9 million tons.
The United States Department of Agriculture will apply a new system to examine meat for drugs, pesticides and other harmful agents.
A statement from the Trade Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) reads:
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued new regulations for beef and chicken.
The United States Department of Agriculture recently issued new regulations for residues of veterinary drugs in meat from chicken and beef sold in this country.