U.S. EXPORT SALES FOR WEEK ENDING 5/9/2013 

Hides and Skins:  Net sales of 425,600 pieces reported for delivery in 2013 were up 17 percent from the previous week, but down 1 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Whole cattle hide sales of 423,500 pieces were primarily for China (265,200 pieces, including 3,200 pieces switched from South Korea and decreases of 14,600 pieces), South Korea (52,400 pieces, including 2,100 pieces switched from China), Thailand (30,100 pieces), Mexico (27,200 pieces), and Taiwan (26,500 pieces).  Exports of 460,500 pieces were up 26 percent from the previous week and 3 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Whole cattle exports of 456,200 pieces were primarily to China (328,000 pieces), South Korea (73,700 pieces), Mexico (14,000 pieces), Taiwan (13,200 pieces), and Vietnam (10,600 pieces).

Net sales of 120,500 wet blues for 2013 were primarily for China (59,500 unsplit and 5,400 grain splits), Italy (24,000 unsplit), the Dominican Republic (8,600 grain splits and 2,500 unsplit), and Mexico (8,200 grain splits and 200 unsplit).  Decreases were reported for South Korea (200 unsplit).    Exports of 146,200 hides were primarily to Italy (43,900 unsplit), China (28,800 unsplit and 5,400 grain splits), Mexico (17,600 grain splits and 3,000 unsplit), and the Dominican Republic (6,200 unsplit and 5,000 grain splits).   Net sales of splits totaling 460,600 pounds were for Italy (400,700 pounds), China (84,000 pounds), Hong Kong (51,900 pounds), and South Korea (10,300 pounds).  Decreases were reported for Taiwan (86,200 pounds).   Exports of 394,200 pounds were to Italy (247,700 pounds) and South Korea (146,500 pounds).