U.S. meat exports decline in 2015

The United States exported a total of $5.58 billion of pork and $6.3 billion of beef in 2015, year-over-year decreases of 16.5 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively.    The United States experienced declines in pork, beef and lamb export volumes and value in 2015 compared to the prior year, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which was compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
   Pork exports refer to both pork and pork variety meat; beef exports refer to both beef and beef variety meat; and lamb exports refer to lamb, mutton and lamb variety meat.
   Throughout 2015, the U.S. exported 2.13 million metric tons of pork valued at $5.58 billion, a year-over-year decline of 2.1 percent and 16.5 percent, respectively.
   The U.S. exported the highest volumes of pork to Mexico at 718,819 metric tons, while Japan was the leading value market for pork exports at $1.59 billion.
   Pork exports to Japan in terms of value and volumes declined in 2015 compared to the prior year, however, the country is starting to run short on its frozen inventories, which may lead to potential import growth in 2016. However, the U.S. faces ongoing competition in Japan, especially from European suppliers.
   U.S. beef exports totaled 1.07 million metric tons in 2015, a 10.8 percent decline from 2014. In terms of value, U.S. beef exports reached $6.3 billion, an 11.7 percent year-over-year drop.
   Mexico was the leading market for beef exports in terms of volumes, with 225,574 metric tons of beef exported to Mexico throughout 2015. Japan was the leading value market for beef exports at $1.28 billion, but exports to the Asian country were still down year-over-year in terms of volumes and value. Japan imported less beef from all suppliers throughout the year and the U.S. lost market share to Australia.
   In addition, the U.S. exported 9,442 metric tons of lamb valued at $19 million, a year-over-year drop of 9.3 percent and 30.5 percent, respectively. Mexico was the leading market for lamb exports in terms of value and volumes, and lower exports to Mexico offset the gains in lamb exports to Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica.