Outstanding First Half for U.S. Pork Exports; Beef Exports Below Record Pace of 2022

U.S. pork exports concluded an excellent first half with another strong performance in June, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While well below the record pace established in 2022, June beef exports topped $900 million in value, pushing first-half export value to nearly $5 billion.

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom notes that while the growth in pork sales is led by Mexico, a number of regions are contributing to the strong exports.

June pork exports totaled 245,964 metric tons (mt), up 12% from a year ago, while export value climbed 6% to $691.4 million. Through the first half of 2023, exports were 14% above last year’s pace at 1.47 million mt, valued at $4.05 billion (up 12%).

Halstrom also points out some bright spots emerging in the beef export side as the export contribution to per-head fed cattle value climbed back above $400.

Beef exports totaled 115,107 mt in June, down 12% from a year ago and slightly below the May volume. Export value was $909.5 million, down 13% year-over-year but the highest since October and 4% above the value posted in May. First-half beef exports were 10% below last year’s record pace at 669,176 mt. Export value was just under $5 billion – down 19% from a year ago but still 8% above the first half of 2021.

Additional first-half highlights for U.S. exports of pork, beef and lamb are available at www.usmef.org.

Source: USMEF