Sales today in the US market increased in volume with most trading done at steady prices. Heavy Native Steers maintained a high of $36 for the lightweight. Colorado Branded Steers were reported at $24 for the lightweight and $26 for regular. Interest for Branded Steers continues, steady at $26 for the regular and $27 for the heavy. Light Butt Branded Steers were reported at $33 and $34. Jumbo Heavy Texas Steer moved up to $30. Packers are well sold directly into tanners at steady to higher prices.

Friday publication hours are in effect. The deadline for trade reporting will be at 2 p.m. CST with publication of the Hide & Leather Price Guide/Commentary soon after.

U.S. Export Sales & Shipments for Week Ending October 15

USDA Cured Hide and Wet Blue Export Sales Recap

For week ending October 15, export sales for 2020 marketing year increased 55 percent to 691,760 from 445,115 and shipments decreased 9 percent to 522,106 from 575,950. Sales for marketing year 2020 totaled 21,885,949—mostly all hides. The average year-to-date weekly trends for federally inspected slaughter were 606,350, total export sales were 521,094 and total export shipments were 517,649.

USDA Hides and Skins Report

Net sales of 480,700 pieces for 2020 were up 27 percent from the previous week and 30 percent from the prior four-week average. Increases primarily for China (407,400 whole cattle hides, including decreases of 10,500 pieces), South Korea (51,000 whole cattle hides, including decreases of 1,600 pieces), Mexico (48,300 whole cattle hides, including decreases of 500 pieces), Cambodia (5,300 whole cattle hides), and Thailand (3,400 whole cattle hides), were offset by reductions for Taiwan (400 pieces) and Indonesia (200 pieces). Additionally, total net sales of 2,100 calf skins were reported for Italy. Net sales reductions of 40,100 kip skins were reported for Italy (39,900 kip skins) and Belgium (200 kip skins). Exports of 397,700 pieces reported for 2020 were down 11 percent from the previous week and 13 percent from the prior four-week average. Whole cattle hides exports were primarily to China (314,300 pieces), South Korea (30,200 pieces), Mexico (30,000 pieces), Brazil (8,000 pieces), and Taiwan (3,500 pieces). In addition, exports of 2,600 kip skins were to Belgium.

Net sales of 173,100 wet blues for 2020 were up 61 percent from the previous week and 15 percent from the prior four-week average. Increases were primarily for Vietnam (92,800 unsplit, including decreases of 200 unsplit), Italy (53,800 unsplit and 100 grain splits, including decreases of 200 unsplit), China (21,300 unsplit, including decreases of 200 unsplit), Mexico (3,300 unsplit, including decreases of 100 unsplit and grain splits), and India (1,200 unsplit). For 2021, total net sales of 4,000 wet blues unsplit were reported for Vietnam. Exports of 127,000 wet blues for 2020 were down 1 percent from the previous week and 25 percent from the prior four-week average. The destinations were primarily to Italy (31,600 unsplit and 4,500 grain splits), China (34,400 unsplit), Vietnam (32,600 unsplit), Thailand (8,400 unsplit), and Taiwan (7,400 unsplit). Net sales of 1,353,800 splits were for Vietnam (1,302,000 pounds, including decreases of 12,200 pounds) and China (51,800 pounds). For 2021, total net sales of 167,500 splits were for China. Exports of 492,100 pounds were to Vietnam (449,600 pounds) and China (42,500 pounds).

Link to Complete USDA Report:  EXPORT-SALES/HIDESFAX

US Drought Monitor

The International Market

Argentina

Slaughter continues running at heavy volumes.

The Argentine Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries announced that it had suspended export duties for hides until December. This extends the initial suspension in June.

The government ordered the measure in order to prevent environmental damage and the accumulation of hides in frigorificos. It seeks to mitigate the impact on production processes and the use of the sanitary measures to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good quality Buenos Aires wet salted heavy steers prices are quoting unchanged from last week at about US$0.07 per kg.

Demand is also unchanged from last week.

**Visit our International Hide & Leather Bulletin to see market news for additional countries across globe.**

Please contact Lexi Watts at 720-322-6213 or [email protected] for any questions, comments, or to report any trading.