U.S. beef exports rise in July despite lower pork, lamb volumes

The U.S. exported 104,488 metric tons of beef in July, a 5 percent increase from 12 months prior, while pork exports reached 173,675 metric tons and lamb exports totaled 593 metric tons, down 4 percent and 13 percent year-over-year, respectively.    U.S. beef exports picked up in July despite a decline in pork and 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 104,488 metric tons of beef valued at $623.7 million in July, up 5 percent and 18 percent year-over-year, respectively, largely due to an increase in shipments to Japan in terms of volumes and value.
   During the month, Japan was the leading market for U.S. beef exports in terms of volume and value, with the U.S. exporting 27,689 metric tons of beef to Japan valued at $175.7 million.
   Meanwhile, the U.S. exported a total of 173,675 metric tons of pork valued at $488.9 million in July, slipping 4 percent and 0.6 percent year-over-year, respectively.
   Mexico was the leading market for U.S. pork exports in terms of volumes and value during the month, with the U.S. exporting 58,625 metric tons of pork valued at $122.9 million to its southern neighbor. The USMEF said that according to USDA estimates, Mexico’s per capita pork consumption has increased by about one-third over the past 10 years to 18 kilograms annually.
   In regards to U.S. lamb exports in July, volumes totaled 593 metric tons, tumbling 13 percent from 12 months prior, while U.S. lamb export value stood at $1.5 million, down 1 percent, as shipments to Mexico, the leading market for U.S. lamb exports in terms of volume and value, had declined.
   During the month, the U.S. exported 432 metric tons of lamb to Mexico valued at $466,000.