$1 Billion Month for U.S. Beef Highlights Latest Red Meat Export Results
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U.S. beef exports soared to another new value record in August, topping the $1 billion mark for the first time, while pork exports posted another strong month and remain ahead of the record pace established in 2020.
August beef exports totaled 132,577 metric tons (mt), up 21% from a year ago and the second largest of 2021, while export value climbed 55% to $1.04 billion. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom notes that while record shipments to China and the largest exports of the year to Japan were the main drivers of beef export growth, many regions contributed to the strong August results.
Pork exports totaled 225,822 mt in August, up 4% from a year ago, and value increased 20% to $633.9 million as record shipments to Mexico and strong growth in several other markets helped offset the expected slowdown in muscle cut exports to China. Pork exports are on a record pace to Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic, and while China's demand for pork muscle cuts is trending lower, variety meat exports to China continue to expand.
A detailed summary of the January-August red meat export results, including market-specific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.
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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing & feeding, pork producing & feeding, lamb producing & feeding, packing & processing, purveying & trading, oilseeds producing, feedgrains producing, farm organizations and supply & service organizations. USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law. USMEF is an equal opportunity employer and provider.