U.S. beef, pork exports rise in January

During the month, Mexico was the top market for U.S. pork and lamb exports in terms of volume and value, while Japan was the leading market for U.S. beef exports.    U.S. beef and pork exports drastically increased in January from a year prior in terms of volume and value, despite a drop in lamb exports, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which was compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
   Beef exports refer to beef and beef variety meat; pork exports refer to pork and pork variety meat; and lamb exports refer to lamb, mutton and lamb variety meat.
   The U.S. exported 96,488 metric tons of beef in January valued at $515.5 million, year-over-year increases of 17 percent and 18 percent, respectively, fueled by stronger exports to Japan, South Korea and Mexico.
   During the month, Japan was the leading market for U.S. beef exports in terms of volume and value, with the U.S. exporting 22,487 metric tons of beef to Japan valued at $125.2 million.
   In terms of pork exports, the U.S. shipped 202,667 metric tons in January valued at $508.6 million, year-over-year increases of 21 percent and 26 percent, respectively.
   Mexico was the leading market for U.S. pork exports in terms of volume and value during the month. “Coming off the fifth consecutive record year for pork export volume to Mexico, the Mexican market shows no signs of letting up,” the USMEF said. “January volume climbed nearly one-third higher than a year ago to 72,406 metric tons – the third-largest monthly total on record. Export value was up even more dramatically, increasing 50 percent to $128.7 million, as Mexico’s strong buying helped sustain higher U.S. ham prices.”
   Meanwhile, U.S. lamb exports in January totaled 573 metric tons valued at $1.4 million, year-over-year declines of 41 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
   The decline in U.S. lamb exports was largely due to lower shipments to Mexico.
   As usual, Mexico was the leading market for U.S. lamb exports in terms of volume and value, with the U.S. exporting 467 metric tons of beef to Mexico valued at $629,000.
   In regards to lamb exports, the USMEF said, “Exports were lower to most markets, but increased to Jordan and the Netherlands Antilles.”