Utilization of the European Union’s duty-free high-quality beef quota’s quarterly allocation came very close to reaching its critical phase (90 percent utilized) this week. However, capacity does not appear to be an issue as we approach the end of the current quarter.

From Jan. 1 through March 24, tonnage used totaled 10,655 metric tons (mt), with another 234 mt awaiting allocation. While this represents 88 percent of the 12,371 mt available for the January-March quarter, the available balance should accommodate shipments arriving though March 31. On April 1, the next quarter’s allocation of 12,050 mt becomes available, plus any balance remaining from the January-March quarter.