March pork exports third largest on record, beef variety meat value reaches new high
March exports of U.S. pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
While March beef exports were below last year – largely due to the ongoing lockout by China – the value of beef variety meat shipments reached a new monthly high, surpassing the previous record from January.
Monster first quarter for pork to Mexico
Pork exports totaled 285,567 metric tons (mt) in March, up six percent from a year ago – the largest in five years and the third largest on record. Export value increased four percent to $803.2 million, the second highest on record, trailing only April 2021.
March exports increased year-over-year to leading market Mexico, as well as to Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan. Shipments were steady to South Korea and Canada.
March was an outstanding month for export value per head slaughtered, which was the third highest on record at $72.93.
Through the first quarter, pork exports were three percent above last year’s pace in both volume at 778,939 mt and value at $2.17 billion. Exports are on a record pace to Mexico and Central America.
Beef variety meat reaches a new high
March beef exports totaled 97,731 mt, down 11 percent from a year ago, while value fell eight percent to $844.7 million.
Shipments increased year-over-year to Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Indonesia and were steady to Korea and Taiwan. However, these results were offset by minimal exports to China, and exports were also below last year to Japan and the Middle East. Excluding China, March exports were four percent above last year’s volume and increased eight percent in value.
The March export results included 29,062 mt of beef variety meat, up 24 percent from a year ago and the largest since 2017. Variety meat export value increased 50 percent to $135.6 million – the highest on record.
March was a very robust month for per-head export value, which equated to $456.56 per head of fed slaughter.
Through the first quarter, beef and beef variety meat exports totaled 275,355 mt, down 11 percent from a year ago, while value fell seven percent to $2.35 million. Excluding China from these results, exports were three percent higher than a year ago in volume and increased nine percent in value.
“The sustained momentum for U.S. pork exports is impressive in the Western Hemisphere, but it is also encouraging to see demand climbing in key Asian markets, led by a welcome rebound in Japan,” said USMEF President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Halstrom.
“On the beef side, while China has now been absent for more than year, the U.S. industry is making strides in other markets,” Halstrom added. “The supply situation makes it difficult to grow export volumes, but exports are commanding strong prices. Expanding beef variety meat demand is especially critical, as this makes such a key contribution to the value of every animal.”
Lamb export volume lower
March exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 247 mt, down 11 percent from a year ago, but value increased four percent to $1.6 million.
First-quarter exports were nine percent above last year’s pace in both volume at 811 mt and value at $4.5 million.
Growth was primarily led by the Caribbean, but shipments also increased to Central America and Asian markets.
USMEF collects and analyzes market intelligence, implements promotional programs and collaborates with industry stakeholders and governmental agencies to increase U.S. red meat exports. For more information, visit usmef.org.
