U.S. EXPORT SALES FOR WEEK ENDING 7/13/2017  

Hides and Skins:  Net sales of 426,200 pieces reported for 2017 were up 34 percent from the previous week and 18 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Whole cattle hide sales totaling 417,600 pieces were primarily for China (234,800 pieces, including decreases of 4,500 pieces), South Korea (57,200 pieces, including decreases of 1,800 pieces), Taiwan (40,000 pieces), Indonesia (39,900 pieces), and Thailand (24,100 pieces).  Reductions were reported for Hong Kong (2,700 pieces).  Exports of 402,800 pieces reported for 2017, all whole cattle hides, were up 38 percent from the previous week and 6 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Exports were primarily to China (260,500 pieces), South Korea (81,100 pieces), Mexico (25,400 pieces), Thailand (18,500 pieces), and Taiwan (10,100 pieces). 

Net sales of 128,600 wet blues for 2017 were up noticeably from the previous week, but down 8 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were reported for Italy (51,100 unsplit), China (44,600 unsplit and 3,700 grain splits), and Vietnam (10,800 unsplit).  Exports of 110,700 wet blues for 2017 were up 69 percent from the previous week and 3 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The primary destinations were China (34,600 unsplit and 5,000 grain splits), Italy (28,000 unsplit and 5,400 grain splits), Vietnam (16,000 unsplit), and Mexico (7,300 grain splits).  Net sales of splits totaling 222,000 pounds for 2017 were reported for China (172,000 pounds) and Taiwan (50,000 pounds).  Exports of 11,000 pounds for 2017--a marketing-year low--were down 98 percent from the previous week and 96 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destination was South Korea.