Of the seven leading beef exporting nations, the United States ranks a distant seventh. As shown below, only 3% of U.S. beef production is exported. This compares with 13% in 2003. The U.S. is the only country among the seven that produces less than it consumes. Consequently, the export-oriented attitudes of the six “over-producers” are driving stronger competition internationally. This raises the question, “Is the U.S. losing out competitively in the international market place?” (SOURCE: Cattle-Fax Update).

Table 1.

Percentage of Beef Production Exported1

	Country	Percent
1.	New Zealand	85%
2.	Uruguay	72%
3.	Australia	65%
4.	Canada	38%
5.	Brazil	20%
6.	Argentina	16%
7.	United States	3%
1USDA/FAS, 2006.