January U.S. Red Meat Exports Below Year-Ago Levels

Dan Beef, Cattle, Pork, Sheep-Goats

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According to information released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in January 2021 U.S. beef and pork exports opened the year below the large volumes posted in 2020.

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The data, compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), shows beef exports totaled 105,047 metric tons (mt) in January, down 2% from a year ago, while value slipped 3% to $653 million.

But, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom says the January numbers were steady with a year ago for beef muscle cuts.

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For U.S. pork, January exports totaled 248,656 mt, down 9% from a year ago but slightly above USMEF’s projections. Export value was down 13% to $642.8 million.

The January numbers also show U.S. lamb exports climbed 7% to 1,027 mt but value fell 43% to $1.2 million, as volume growth was driven by lamb variety meat demand in Mexico and Canada. Lamb’s muscle cut exports trended higher than a year ago to Bermuda and Japan.

And while Halstrom said January did represent a fairly solid start to 2021, he cautions that U.S. red meat exports still face COVID-related obstacles and significant transportation and labor challenges.

A detailed summary of the January export results is available on the USMEF website.