DENVER, Colo. — August export value for U.S. beef and pork increased year-over-year despite declines in volume, for the second consecutive month, while export value for both products remains on a record pace, according to data released Oct. 7 by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
In fact, August beef exports overcame a 3 percent decline in volume to 102,456 metric tons to set a new monthly value record of $655.2 million, up 16 percent from a year ago.
"International buyers are certainly concerned about supplies and whether we will be able to meet the growing demand for U.S. beef," said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. "But price and supply concerns notwithstanding, their enthusiasm for U.S. beef has never been higher. We continue to see an outstanding response to our marketing campaigns and educational seminars informing buyers about the unique attributes of U.S. beef."
For January-August, the report said beef exports were up 3 percent in volume (790,208 metric tons) and 13 percent in value ($4.55 billion), compared to the same period last year. Conversely, pork export volume was down 6 percent year-over-year in August to 162,992 metric tons – due in part to market access issues in Russia and the China/Hong Kong region – but export value still achieved a 6 percent increase to $529.9 million.
For the first eight months of the year, pork export volume was up 6 percent to 1.48 million metric tons, while value increased 15 percent to $4.53 billion.
The report also said August-fed beef slaughter was down 10 percent year-over-year, making the beef export value record "even more noteworthy." Export value per head of fed slaughter reached $326.94, up 29 percent from a year ago and shattering the previous record ($299.14) set in June.
For January-August, per-head export value was $279.48, up 15 percent from the same period last year. Exports equated to 14 percent of total beef production and 11 percent for muscle cuts only, up from 13 and 10 percent, respectively, last year.
The report added that exports to Mexico slowed slightly in August, but remain strong for the year, totaling 155,573 metric tons valued at $742 million. These totals are up 19 and 33 percent, respectively, although USMEF data from early 2013 may have understated last year’s exports, the report said.
Exports to Japan were down 3 percent in volume (161,098 metric tons), but increased 2 percent in value to $1.01 billion, with the United States continuing to gain market share and Japan importing less beef from other suppliers.
The report said pork export value per head of slaughter was $64.08 in August (up 22 percent) and $65.29 for January-August (up 21 percent). Exports accounted for 28 percent of total pork production and 23 percent for muscle cuts only, up from 26 and 22 percent, respectively, during the first eight months of 2013.
The CME Group stated August exports of fresh, frozen and processed pork were 119,726 metric tons, 11.6 percent lower than a year ago. Moreover, exports felt the impact of Russia’s import ban, imposed on Aug.7, on pork muscle cuts from the United States, Canada and the European Union.
U.S. pork exports to Russia were 5,738 metric tons in August, less than half the July volume.
