U.S. EXPORT SALES FOR WEEK ENDING 4/11/2019  

Hides and Skins: Net sales of 387,600 pieces reported for 2019 were up 29 percent from the previous week and 1 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Whole cattle hide sales totaling 389,000 pieces were primarily for China (217,700 pieces, including decreases of 5,200 pieces), South Korea (104,400 pieces, including decreases of 3,800 pieces), Mexico (49,400 pieces), Thailand (6,700 pieces, including decreases of 300 pieces), and Taiwan (3,900 pieces).  Reductions were reported for Indonesia (300 pieces).  Exports of 422,200 pieces reported for 2019 were up 10 percent from the previous week and 12 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Whole cattle hide exports of 413,900 pieces were primarily to China (210,500 pieces), South Korea (95,800 pieces), Mexico (53,300 pieces), Thailand (23,100 pieces), and Brazil (8,200 pieces). 

Net sales of 94,200 wet blues for 2019 were down 51 percent from the previous week and 44 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were reported for Italy (43,800 unsplit), Taiwan (21,600 unsplit), China (14,000 unsplit and 100 grain splits), and Vietnam (10,200 unsplit).  Reduction were reported for Mexico (100 grain splits).  Exports of 165,100 wet blues for 2019 were up 4 percent from the previous week and 15 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The primary destinations were Italy (46,000 unsplit and 1,800 grain splits), China (33,100 unsplit and 2,000 grain splits), Vietnam (34,200 unsplit), and Taiwan (16,200 unsplit).  Net sales reductions of splits totaling 12,400 pounds for 2019 resulting in increases for China (3,800 pound), were more than offset by reductions for Vietnam (16,200 pounds).  Exports of 493,800 pounds for 2019 were up noticeably from the previous week and 61 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were Vietnam (400,800 pounds) and China (93,000 pounds).