U.S. pork exports climb, beef declines

August sees pork surge and beef export fall

August was a mixed month for U.S. meat exports. While pork exports saw an increase, beef exports experienced a downturn, and lamb exports achieved the highest volume of the year, as per the latest USDA and USMEF data.

Pork exports rose to 238,989 metric tons, a 6% increase from the previous year, led by strong demand in Mexico and notable growth in South America and Central America. The value of pork exports also increased by 8% to $702.9 million. This robust performance is part of a broader trend that might lead to record highs in 2024.

In contrast, beef exports decreased to 102,682 metric tons, a drop of 6%, with a 4% decrease in value at $845.9 million. However, despite the general decline, regions like Mexico, Taiwan, and the Middle East maintained strong beef demand.

Highlighting the importance of diverse markets, Dan Halstrom from USMEF noted, “While beef demand in our major Asian markets seemed to lose a bit of momentum in August, exports held up well to Mexico, Taiwan, and the Middle East.”

This performance underscores the complexity of the global meat trade and the need for U.S. exporters to continually adapt to maintain and grow their market share. The ability to navigate these fluctuations is crucial for sustaining the health and profitability of the U.S. agricultural sector.