The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is reporting that the exports of US Beef and Pork in April trended lower than a year ago according to data from USDA. This decrease is largely due to the retaliatory duties imposed by China, in addition to China not renewing establishment registrations for cold storage facilities and beef plants in the US with the majority of these registrations expiring in March. The beef exports in April fell 10% from a year ago totaling just over 100,000 metric tons with the value for beef exports also fell 8% to $824.5 million. While exports to China fell nearly 70%, shipments to Mexico, Taiwan and the Middle east also trended lower according to USMEF though partially offset with larger exports to Japan, South Korea and Central and South America.
Pork exports in April are down 15% from a year ago totaling 237,250 metric tons with values of exports falling 13% to $675.3 Million. Exports of pork to china fell 35% from a year ago and shipments also lower from this time last year to Mexico, Japan and Canada with exports of pork to Colombia and Central America trending at a record pace. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said, “We expected beef shipments to China to hit a wall in April, due to the one-two punch of higher tariffs and expired plant registrations. We are hopeful that these issues will be resolved soon and are encouraged by this week’s developments on trade negotiations with China. In the meantime, USMEF remains committed to market diversification and we have accelerated efforts to develop alternative destinations for cuts and variety meat items normally shipped to China.”
Read the full report from USMEF here.
Dale Sandlin reporting for Southeast Agnet.