U.S. meat exports see mixed results in June

However, U.S. beef export volumes to Japan during the month reached the highest amount in nearly two years, totaling 25,836 metric tons.    The United States saw mixed results in June’s meat exports, with pork exports up in terms of both volumes and value, beef exports up in terms of volume but down in terms of value, and lamb exports down in terms of volumes and value, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which was compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
   Pork exports refer to pork and pork variety meat; beef exports refer to beef and beef variety meat; and lamb exports refer to lamb, mutton and lamb variety meat.
   During the month, the U.S. exported 187,939 metric tons of pork valued at $505.4 million, year-over-year increases of 7.7 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively.
   While Mexico was the leading volume market for port exports at 54,335 metric tons, Japan was the leading value market at $138.1 million.
   Pork exports to China/Hong Kong remained well ahead of last year’s pace, rising 84 percent in volume and 73 percent in value compared to last June.
   However, U.S. pork export volumes to the region were the lowest since February, reflecting some cooling of the market, USMEF said. “New opportunities for U.S. pork were developed in China/Hong Kong over the past year, and the inroads we made with importers and other key buyers in the region will pay long-term dividends,” USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said. “But it is important to recognize the shift in market conditions in China, which means growth in other key markets is essential to achieving a successful second half in 2016.”
   Meanwhile, U.S. beef export volumes inched up 2.3 percent year-over-year in June to 98,920 metric tons. However, beef export value slipped 5.8 percent from June 2015 to $545.4 million.
   U.S. beef export volumes to Japan were the largest in nearly two years at 25,836 metric tons. Japan was the leading market for beef exports in terms of volumes and value in June, with beef exports to the nation totaling $154.4 million. However, Seng said, “U.S. beef faces a significant tariff rate disadvantage in Japan, and this gap will grow larger unless and until the Trans-Pacific Partnership is ratified.”
   In addition, the U.S. exported 457 metric tons of lamb in June valued at $1.1 million, year-over-year declines of 57.5 percent and 39.2 percent, respectively, which the USMEF said was largely due to the sharp decline in variety meat exports to Mexico. During the month, Mexico was the leading market for lamb exports in terms of volume and value, with volumes totaling 371 metric tons valued at $497,000.