Cattle futures slip as beef exports hit 16-week low

Live cattle futures ended the week mixed, with most contracts declining between $0.05 and $1.40. The February contract bucked the trend, gaining 45 cents.

Cash trade was reported at $196–$197 in the South and $200 in the North. The Fed Cattle Exchange on Sunday morning, managed by Central Stockyards, saw sales on 434 out of 868 head at $197.

Feeder cattle futures faced steeper losses, dropping $1.65 to $2.925 on Friday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index fell $3.99 from the previous day to $265.76 as of January 1.

Beef export sales for the last full week of 2024 totalled 1,412 metric tons (MT), with an additional 11,140 MT booked for 2025 shipment. South Korea emerged as the top buyer with a combined 3,600 MT, followed by China with 2,200 MT. Exports for the week ending December 26 were recorded at 12,204 MT, marking a 16-week low. Japan and South Korea were the leading destinations, each receiving 3,400 MT.

In the wholesale market, USDA’s Friday afternoon report showed stronger Boxed Beef prices. Choice cuts rose $1.76 to $325.24/cwt, while Select cuts gained $2.49 to $296.72.

Federally inspected cattle slaughter for the week was estimated by the USDA at 498,000 head. This represents a sharp increase of 54,000 head compared to the previous week but is 44,462 head lower than the same week last year.

Attribution: Barchart