exports

August Pork Exports Above Year-Ago; Beef Exports Lower

Fueled by another outstanding performance from Mexico, August exports of U.S. pork increased year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). U.S. beef exports were below year-ago levels in August. Rusty Halvorson has more details. August pork exports totaled 238,989 metric tons (mt), up 6% from a year ago but the second …

agricultural trade

Longshoremen’s Strike Over for Now

In a joint statement Thursday evening, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced there is an end, at least temporarily, to the work stoppage that shut down the East and Gulf Coast ports earlier this week.  U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom says the end of the strike is terrific news for U.S. …

dock worker

Dock Worker Strikes Threaten U.S. Meat Exports

Dock worker strikes across the East and Gulf Coasts threaten to disrupt the U.S. meat and livestock industries significantly, according to Erin Borror, Vice President for Economic Analysis at the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The affected ports are critical, having facilitated nearly $3 billion in red meat exports during the first seven months of the year, averaging about $100 million …

agriculture

Impending Gulf Port Strike Could Impact Ag Exports

Contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and U.S. Maritime Alliance on a new labor agreement for port workers along the East and Gulf Coasts have stalled, increasing the potential for an Oct. 1 strike. Even though the majority of U.S. red meat exports flow out of the West Coast ports, a strike in the east and south would still have a significant …

USMEF Team Evaluates Beef Promotion in Japan

The U.S. Meat Export Federation recently took a group of livestock producers to Japan to see international beef promotion, first hand. Cattleman and Georgia Beef Board member, Robert Fountain, shares details about the trip in a phone interview from Japan. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funding Crucial For Forage DevelopmentMay 22, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding to Enhance Brahman …

Easing Trade Obstacles with Colombia Through Seminar

With support from the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently joined USDA staff in meetings with Colombian officials designed to build a better understanding of the industry both in the U.S. and Colombia. The seminar was born out of a string of challenges that have popped up for exporters sending U.S. red …

USMEF Chair Sees Potential for U.S. Pork in Indonesia

With support from the National Pork Board, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chair Randy Spronk, a pork producer from Minnesota, recently traveled to Indonesia to see the market potential firsthand. While Indonesia is a majority Muslim country, Spronk notes there is strong potential for U.S. pork sales. In fact, though current volumes are small, market share for U.S. pork has increased …

meat trade

USMEF Coordinates International Collaboration for Merchandising U.S. Beef and Pork Abroad

U.S. Meat Export Federation has coordinated strategic collaboration between major U.S. beef and pork export markets. Jihae Yang, USMEF vice president for the Asia Pacific, shares more. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funding Crucial For Forage DevelopmentMay 22, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding to Enhance Brahman GeneticsMay 15, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

Boats, Bargaining Tables and Beef Marketing: Labor Union Raises Issue for Ag Exports

International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents workers at ports throughout the East and Gulf Coasts, recently canceled contract talks with terminal operators represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). The current  labor contract between the two groups expires later this year, and negotiations have been called off over what ILA contends are efforts to automate additional port services, and …