DENVER — The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has reported that US pork exports in August remained consistent year-over-year, largely due to robust demand in the Mexican market
Data from the US Department of Agriculture reveals that pork export volumes in August were stable at 226,519 tonnes compared to the same period last year. However, the export value experienced a slight dip of 1.5%, amounting to $649.5 million.
Year-to-Date Export Performance
For the first eight months of 2023, total pork exports saw an 11% increase, reaching 1.91 million tonnes and valued at $5.32 billion, marking a 9% rise. “The remarkable demand for US pork from Mexico has been a significant revenue driver for the US industry,” said Dan Halstrom, President and CEO of USMEF.
He added that the growth in exports extends beyond Mexico, with increasing demand from other Western Hemisphere destinations and gains in several Asia-Pacific markets.
Mexican Market Highlights
In August, Mexican pork exports stood strong at 91,297 tonnes, a 12.5% increase from 2022. The exports were valued at a record high of $211.7 million, up 9%.
Other Notable Markets
Pork exports to Japan in August also saw an uptick, increasing by 5% year-over-year to 28,418 tonnes. The value of these exports rose by 11% to $119.2 million.
Beef and Lamb Exports
In contrast, August exports of US lamb muscle cuts declined by 14% to 107 tonnes, with the export value falling 18% to $678,000. Total beef exports for August were 109,000 tonnes, a 19% decrease from the previous year. The export value for beef was $883.9 million, down 15% from 2022 but up 9% from July.
Challenges and Opportunities
“Beef exports are facing significant challenges, particularly in large Asian markets where foodservice recovery has been slow and consumer confidence is impacted by rising prices and a strong US dollar,” Halstrom noted.
However, he also highlighted that exports to South Korea and Japan showed some recovery after a challenging July, and Mexico continues to be a bright spot for US beef exports.
In summary, while the pork export market continues to thrive, particularly in Mexico, the beef export market faces challenges that require strategic solutions.
