U.S. red meat exports ended the first quarter on a very high note, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Both beef and pork exports in March posted the highest monthly value on record.
Beef exports in March, at 124,808 metric tons (mt), was up 8% from a year ago and the second largest of the post-BSE era. Export value broke the $800 million mark for the first time at $801.9 million, up 14% year-over-year. For the first quarter, beef exports pulled even with last year’s pace at 333,348 mt, valued at $2.12 billion.
March highlights for U.S. beef included record exports to China, Honduras and the Philippines and strong results in South Korea, Chile and Colombia.
Pork exports in March were record-large at 294,724 mt, up 1% from last year’s strong total, and set a new value record at $794.9 million (up 4%). For the first quarter, pork exports were 7% below last year’s pace in both volume (782,620 mt) and value ($2.07 billion).
March pork exports were led by strong performances in Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and Central America, including new records in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Exports were also record-large to the Dominican Republic for the second consecutive month.
March exports of U.S. lamb were up 54% from a year ago to 1,089 mt, valued at $1.5 million (up 22%). For the first quarter, export volume increased 64% from a year ago to 3,268 mt, but value was down 4% at $4.3 million. Lamb variety meat exports were led by strong demand in Mexico, while lamb muscle cuts increased to the Dominican Republic, Bermuda and Canada.
A detailed summary of first quarter red meat export results is available on the USMEF website.