September Pork Exports Continue Upward Trend; Pace Cools for Beef
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U.S. pork exports topped year-ago totals for the second consecutive month in September, while beef exports dipped below the $1 billion dollar mark but remain on a record pace, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF.
Pork exports reached 222,202 metric tons (mt) in September, up 1% from a year ago. Export value increased 9% to $664.8 million – the highest since June 2021. Through September, pork exports were 13% below last year at 1.94 million mt, valued at $5.57 billion (down 11%).
September pork exports were once again led by Mexico, though shipments slipped below year-ago volume for the first time since early 2021. Exports rebounded to Japan, strengthened to China/Hong Kong and South Korea, and continued on a record pace to the Caribbean and Colombia.
In this report, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom notes that continued strong export numbers amid mounting headwinds such as a strong U.S. dollar show the benefits of the work of USMEF to diversify global demand for U.S. red meat.
September beef exports totaled 115,487 mt, valued at $890.3 million, down 7% from a year ago in both volume and value. For the first nine months of 2022, beef exports were still 4% above last year at 1.12 million mt. Export value reached $9.12 billion, up 20% and already achieving the second highest total for any calendar year, trailing only the 2021 record ($10.58 billion).
Despite China’s zero-COVID policies that result in travel restrictions and periodic lockdowns in metropolitan areas, September beef exports to China/Hong Kong were still above last year. Shipments also increased year-over-year to the ASEAN region and Caribbean, but declined to Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports are on pace to exceed $12 billion in 2022.
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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.