U.S. EXPORT SALES FOR WEEK ENDING 11/8/2018  

Hides and Skins:  Net sales of 353,900 pieces reported for 2018 were down 18 percent from the previous week and 17 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Whole cattle hide sales totaling 354,200 pieces were primarily for China (198,800 pieces, including decreases of 15,900 pieces), South Korea (86,000 pieces, including decreases of 3,700 pieces), Mexico (51,600 pieces, including decreases 1,800 pieces), Slovenia (8,300 pieces), and Thailand (4,000 pieces, including decreases of 100 pieces).  Exports of 508,500 pieces reported for 2018 were up 9 percent from the previous week and 13 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Whole cattle hide exports of 504,600 pieces were primarily to China (316,200 pieces), South Korea (104,200 pieces), Mexico (60,900 pieces), Indonesia (10,500 pieces), and Japan (5,800 pieces).

Net sales of 36,600 wet blues for 2018 were up 16 percent from the previous week, but down 56 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were reported for China (19,600 unsplit), Italy (10,700 unsplit), Thailand (7,200 unsplit), and Japan (600 grain splits).  Reductions were reported for the Dominican Republic (800 unsplit) and Mexico (400 grain splits).  For 2019, net sales of 14,600 unsplit were reported for Italy (13,800 unsplit) and the Dominican Republic (800 unsplit).  Exports of 62,500 wet blues for 2018 were down 52 percent from the previous week and 50 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The primary destinations were Italy (27,600 unsplit), China (11,800 unsplit and 3,400 grain splits), and Mexico (8,300 grain splits and 1,100 unsplit).  Net sales of splits totaling 87,300 pounds were reported for 2018.  Increases for China (100,100 pounds) were partially offset by reductions for Vietnam (12,700 pounds).  Exports of 160,000 pounds for 2018 were down 70 percent from the previous week and 42 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destination was Vietnam.