By Julie Ingwersen
CHICAGO, May 17 (Reuters) - U.S. live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) closed higher on Friday, buoyed by news that Japan will eliminate long-held restrictions on American beef imports, traders said.
The agreement reopens full beef trade after Japan in 2003 banned U.S. beef over concerns about mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which roiled the beef industry in the United States and elsewhere. restored partial access in 2005 for U.S. beef from cattle 20 months of age and younger, and extended access in 2013 to include beef from cattle less than 30 months of age.
"The Japanese news today was the catalyst to spark some short covering. Now we need to see some continuation," said Dan Norcini, an independent livestock trader.
CME June live cattle futures LCM9 settled up 0.800 cent at 111.275 cents per pound, turning higher after matching Thursday's 8-1/2 month low of 109.05 cents. CME August live cattle LCQ9 finished up 0.975 cent at 108.925 cents.
The USDA said Japan's latest move could increase U.S. exports to Japan by up to $200 million annually. Japan bought about $2 billion worth of U.S. beef in 2018, the U.S. Meat Export Federation said.
Strength in live cattle futures was capped by lackluster cash cattle trade this week at mostly $115 to $117 per cwt, below the previous week's trade, along with cool, wet U.S. weather that has curbed consumer demand for high-priced cuts of meat.
"We've got Memorial Day coming up, and that is normally the kick-off for the summer grilling season. We need some warm weather. Everybody is wondering, where has the spring demand been for beef? It just hasn't showed up," Norcini said.
Feeder cattle futures followed live cattle futures higher, shrugging off pressure from rising corn futures that signal higher feed costs. For the week, Chicago Board of Trade July corn CN9 surged 31-1/2 cents a bushel, or nearly 9%. COR/
CME August feeder cattle FCQ9 settled on Friday up 2.175 cents at 145.500 cents per pound and September feeder cattle FCU9 ended up 2.475 cents at 146.700 cents.
Lean hog futures ended higher, rallying from early declines on news that the United States struck deals to lift tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico.
The agreements will also eliminate Mexican and Canadian retaliatory tariffs on a broad range of U.S. products, including pork and beef. expectation is that you are going to see Mexican purchases ramp up considerably," Norcini said.
CME June lean hog futures LHM9 closed up 0.150 cent at 92.375 cents per pound and July hogs LHN9 rose 0.600 cent to settle at 93.000 cents.