WA_LS666
Washington, DC     Thu, Jan 08, 2009     USDA Market News

New Zealand Meat and Wool Export Summary and Prices

BEEF:  According to NZX Agrifax, the U.S. imported manufacturing beef market
has improved 8% over the past month, a welcome turnaround from the 40% slide
of the previous 5 months.  There are signs that some confidence returning to
Asian markets as well, despite fact that U.S. has rapidly regained market
dominance in Korea.  Adding substance to sentiment are USDA figures that show
significant declines in poultry, pork & beef production in the U.S.
LAMB:  Although too early to make a definitive judgement on consumption
levels over the Christmas/New Year period, the fact that sales have continued
during the holiday week is a positive sign.  This season in-market prices in
overseas currency terms have held up surprisingly well for most cuts.
Higher priced leg and middle cuts have only eased 5-10% from recent highs
and lower value forequarter cuts and flaps are steady.




Beef $/CWT                                    Week Ending      Week Ending
                                                03-Jan-09         27-Dec-08
P2 Steer    542-595 lbs                             83.01            82.10
(4-7 mm)    595-650 lbs                             85.73            84.82
(Fat)       650-705 lbs                             86.64            85.73
            705-761 lbs                             86.64            86.18

M Cow       375-430 lbs                             58.97            58.06
(0-1 mm)    430-485 lbs                             60.33            59.42
            485-540 lbs                             61.69            61.24

Bull        595-650 lbs                             83.46            82.55

Lamb  ($/Head)               Fat Cover
                                  (mm)
            24 lbs                0-6               21.67            21.58
            33 lbs                7-12              41.98            41.67
            46 lbs                7-12              57.39            56.97

Pelt        1 lb                                     0.92             0.91

Ewe  ($/Head)
            46 lbs                                  25.75            25.39

Wool  (c/cwt clean)           (microns)
            Fine                  21               223.17           219.99
            Medium                25               157.85           156.04
            Coarse                35                87.09            86.18


Notes:      All prices are U.S. Dollars.
            All meat prices are carcass based and net to farmers.
            Lamb values include a 1 kg shorn pelt.
            Ewe values at 0.5 kg pelt.

Source: NZX AgriFax Limited, New Zealand
        202-720-8054
        www.http://www.ams.usda.gov/LSMarketNews

10:47       jab
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