U.S. Meat Export Federation
According to new data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. pork exports concluded an excellent first half of 2023 with another strong performance in June. As for beef exports, while well below the record pace established in 2022, June exports topped $900 million in value, pushing first-half export value to nearly $5 billion.
June pork exports totaled 245,964 metric tons (mt), up 12% from a year ago, while export value climbed 6% to $691.4 million. Through the first half of 2023, pork exports were 14% above last year’s pace at 1.47 million mt, valued at $4.05 billion (up 12%).
Pork exports to Mexico are on a record pace, with first-half value up 21% to more than $1 billion. First-half exports increased sharply year-over-year to the ASEAN region, Australia, Taiwan, the Dominican Republic and Chile, while also posting gains in China/Hong Kong, South Korea and Central America. Pork variety meat exports surged by 32% in the first half to more than 297,000 mt, led by record-large shipments to China.
Beef exports totaled 115,107 mt in June, down 12% from a year ago and slightly below the May volume. Export value was $909.5 million, down 13% year-over-year but the highest since October and 4% above the value posted in May. First-half of the year beef exports were 10% below last year’s record pace at 669,176 mt. Export value was just under $5 billion – down 19% from a year ago but still 8% above the first half of 2021.
June beef exports to Taiwan were the largest in 14 months, while exports to Mexico continued to build momentum and shipments to Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa and the Dominican Republic posted year-over-year gains. June exports to South Korea, China and Japan were below last year’s large totals, though shipments to Japan improved notably in value from the previous month.
After a strong start in 2023, exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts trended sharply lower in the second quarter. June exports were just 109 mt, down 56% from a year ago, while value fell 45% to $843,000. First-half exports were down 5% in volume (1,067 mt) and 6% in value ($6.35 million). Exports trended higher to the Netherlands Antilles, the Bahamas, Guatemala and Canada, and volume increased slightly to Mexico.
Outstanding First Half for U.S. Pork Exports; Beef Exports Below Record Pace of 2022
Published: Aug 09, 2023
(USMEF) — U.S. pork exports concluded an excellent first half with another strong performance in June, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While well below the record pace established in 2022, June beef exports topped $900 million in value, pushing first-half export value to nearly $5 billion.
June pork exports totaled 245,964 metric tons (mt), up 12% from a year ago, while export value climbed 6% to $691.4 million. Through the first half of 2023, exports were 14% above last year’s pace at 1.47 million mt, valued at $4.05 billion (up 12%).
“Mexico is certainly the 2023 pacesetter for U.S. pork exports but what’s really exciting is that the industry is achieving such broad-based growth internationally,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “Exports are making impressive gains in the Western Hemisphere and reclaiming market share in many Asia-Pacific markets, and U.S. pork is well-positioned to continue gaining momentum in the second half.”
Beef exports totaled 115,107 mt in June, down 12% from a year ago and slightly below the May volume. Export value was $909.5 million, down 13% year-over-year but the highest since October and 4% above the value posted in May. First-half beef exports were 10% below last year’s record pace at 669,176 mt. Export value was just under $5 billion – down 19% from a year ago but still 8% above the first half of 2021.
“It was a challenging first half for beef exports, especially when compared to the blistering pace established a year ago,” Halstrom said. “But we are encouraged to see that exports are still accounting for a consistently high percentage of total beef production, and variety meat exports have held up very well considering the decline in U.S. slaughter. These metrics continue to illustrate the important contribution of exports in maximizing beef carcass value.”
First-half pork exports achieve broad-based growth
June pork exports to leading market Mexico climbed 19% from a year ago to 85,853 mt, while value increased 8% to $179.4 million. These results kept first-half exports on a record-shattering pace at 532,934 mt, up 14% from a year ago, while value increased 21% to $1.07 billion. Pork variety meat exports to Mexico have strengthened even more dramatically in 2023. Through June, variety meat shipments increased 49% to 77,818 mt, valued at $136.6 million (up 43%).
Pork exports to Australia continued to build momentum in June, increasing 79% from a year ago to 7,513 mt, valued at $25.6 million (up 71%). First-half exports to Australia increased 71% year-over-year in volume (33,179 mt) and 64% in value ($114.9 million). While most of this volume is raw material for further processing, value-added processed U.S. pork products are also popular in Australia’s retail and foodservice sectors.
Taiwan’s demand for U.S. pork has rebounded dramatically this year, with June exports increasing 915% from a year ago to 3,767 mt – the largest in 14 years. June export value was $12.3 million, up more than 1,000%. First-half pork exports to Taiwan jumped 531% from last year’s low totals to reach 10,280 mt, while value increased 598% to $33.5 million.
Other first-half export results for U.S. pork include:
- Pork exports to Japan edged above year-ago levels in June, increasing 1% in volume (32,420 mt) and 3% in value ($131.7 million). First-half export volume was slightly below last year (187,270 mt, down 1%), while export value fell 6% to $749.4 million. Japan is importing more frozen pork from the U.S. and less chilled pork and ground seasoned pork, due in part to the weak yen and persistent shipping and logistical challenges.
- While pork exports to South Korea took a step back in June, first-half shipments still increased 10% from a year ago to 101,969 mt, while value was up 2% to $332.8 million. U.S. pork, which enters Korea at …..
Read the full detailed summary of the January-June export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb on the USMEF website.