June was the best month of the year for U.S. beef and pork exports. According to statistics released by USDA and complied by the U.S. Meat Export Federation – exports of U.S. beef and pork rose in volume and value over 2012 levels – while lamb exports continued their steady increase. Pork exports increased 2.4-percent in volume to 169,098 metric tons and edged a fraction higher in value to 4697.-million dollars. Beef exports increased eight-percent in volume to 101,720 metric tons and jumped 21-percent in value to 562.3-million dollars. Exports of lamb were up 29-percent in volume in June to 1,423 metric tons and nearly four-percent in value to 2.5-million. USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng says challenges persist – including the continued closure of the Russian market – but we are seeing positive signs from key markets like Japan and Mexico that are vital trading partners for the industry.
According to USMEF – Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Taiwan and Central/South America were the top performing beef export markets in June by volume. The absence of exports to Russia is felt – as the 5,903 metric tons of beef exported there last June made it the number six market for U.S. beef. Seng says USMEF continues relationship-building in Russia for when that market reopens – and stands ready to capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality beef in China when access can be restored there for the first time since 2003. Mexico, Japan, China/Hong Kong, Central/South America, the ASEAN, Caribbean and Taiwan were the top pork export growth markets by volume in June.
For the year – U.S. beef exports are down one-percent in volume at 542,560 metric tons – but six-percent higher in value at 2.83-billion dollars. Pork exports for the first half of 2013 are down seven-percent in volume and value to 1.05-million metric tons valued at 2.94-billion. Total lamb exports for the year are up 17-percent in volume to 7,263 metric tons valued at 15.7-million dollars – a 25-percent jump. The biggest markets are Mexico and Canada.
Source: NAFB News Service