Led by one other excellent month in Mexico and strong demand for selection meat, exports of U.S. pork continued to realize momentum in Might, based on information launched by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Whereas effectively under the record-large quantity and worth posted in Might 2022, beef exports improved from April and had been the second largest (behind March) of 2023.
Might pork exports reached 261,361 metric tons, up 16% from a yr in the past, the ninth largest on file and the most important since Might 2021. Export worth climbed 12% to $731.1 million, additionally the very best since Might 2021 and the seventh highest on file. Pork selection meat exports had been significantly excellent in Might, setting a price file of $127 million.
Might exports to main market Mexico had been effectively above final yr, whereas shipments to Taiwan had been the most important in 12 years and export worth to South Korea reached a five-year excessive. Exports had been additionally considerably larger to Australia, Central America and Malaysia.
By means of the primary 5 months of the yr, pork and pork selection meat exports had been 14% above final yr’s tempo at 1.22 million mt, valued at $3.35 billion (up 13%).
“Whereas pork shipments to Mexico are on a exceptional tempo, it takes a variety of markets to attain double-digit progress,” stated Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “Demand is powerful all through the Western Hemisphere and the U.S. trade continues to make positive factors in Asian markets the place provides of European pork are a lot tighter than a yr in the past.”
Beef exports totaled 116,159 mt, down 14% from the Might 2022 file however up 4% from the earlier month. Export worth was $874.7 million, down 19% year-over-year however 2% above April. Might exports strengthened to Mexico, Taiwan and South Africa, and export worth to Canada was the very best in practically eight years. Beef selection meat exports had been the most important in 12 months at just below 27,000 mt.
For January by Might, beef and beef selection exports had been down 10% to 554,069 mt, valued at $4.09 billion (down 21%).
“U.S. beef exports face appreciable headwinds in 2023, on each the provision and demand facet, particularly when in comparison with final yr’s large totals,” Halstrom stated. “To handle tighter beef provides, USMEF has heightened efforts to showcase underutilized cuts, even in our well-established markets. It is also encouraging to see beef selection meat exports preserve a powerful tempo, as that is important for maximizing carcass worth.”
Might exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 141 mt, down 32% from a yr in the past and the bottom quantity of 2023. Export worth was $772,409, down 17%. Might exports declined to most main locations, however elevated to the Bahamas. For January by Might, exports remained 9% above final yr’s tempo at 958 mt, valued at $5.5 million (up 5%).
An in depth abstract of the January-Might export outcomes for U.S. beef, pork and lamb, together with market-specific highlights, is out there from the USMEF web site.
