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U.S. Beef-Pork Exports Remain Strong

The U.S. Meat Export Federation reports that August was a solid month for both U.S. beef and pork exports as both easily outpaced the results of August 2009 and increased their gains over the cumulative totals from the first eight months of 2009. Beef exports for the month increased 24% in volume and 43% in value to $373.7 million. August pork exports were up 9% in volume and 16% in value over last year, valued at $369 million.

All major beef export markets showed strong growth through the first eight months of the year except for Vietnam and Mexico. Mexico is down 21% in volume and 18% in value. On a per-head basis, beef exports equated to $159.60 per steer and heifer slaughtered in August up from about $120 in August 2009. Pork export value, on a per head basis, was $40.87 in August, up from $34.50 last year.

While U.S. pork exports achieved excellent growth in Mexico and Canada, smaller markets in the Western Hemisphere also performed extremely well. Exports to Central and South America climbed 34% in volume and 36% in value.

USMEF also report that U.S. lamb exports to Mexico are up 56% in volume and 70% in value, easily making it the leading market in both categories.