U.S. Red Meat Export Trends Show Strengths and Struggles

U.S. red meat exports showed a mixed picture in the latest numbers from USDA, with data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation offering several bright spots despite market challenges. The most recently available information covers August, and pork held steady that month at just under 236,500 metric tons, down only slightly from last year. Mexico once again carried the category, taking in more than 102,000 metric tons, one of the largest monthly totals on record. Central America also remained strong, keeping pork exports on a record pace through August.

Beef, meanwhile, faced significant headwinds. August exports fell to about 83,000 metric tons, sharply lower than a year ago, largely because an impasse with China has kept most U.S. beef plants out of the world’s largest import market. Even so, shipments held fairly steady to South Korea and strengthened in the Caribbean and across parts of Central and South America.

Lamb was a bright spot. August lamb muscle cut exports reached 220 metric tons, up 58 percent, with strong demand from the Caribbean and Canada. For the year through August, lamb exports climbed 46 percent in volume and nearly 30 percent in value.