U.S. beef exports posted another outstanding performance in August, remaining well above last year’s pace, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). August pork exports increased from the previous month but were down slightly year-over-year.
In the above audio report, USMEF Trade Analyst Jessica Spreitzer notes that August beef exports to Japan were the largest of the post-BSE era, despite the recent triggering of a higher tariff rate on Japan’s imports of frozen U.S. beef. Exports to Hong Kong also continued to trend upward in August, increasing more than 25 percent from a year ago.
On the pork side, exports to Mexico continue to be on pace for a sixth consecutive volume record after increasing slightly from a year ago in August. Pork exports to China/Hong Kong also showed signs of a rebound in August after a sharp year-over-year decline in July.