U.S. meat exports surge in August

U.S. beef export volumes in August, which were the highest since October 2014, rose 26.9 percent from August 2015 thanks to increased beef exports to Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Mexico.    U.S. meat exports picked up in August as the nation experienced year-over-year increases in beef, pork and lamb exports in terms of volumes and value for the month, 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.
   U.S. beef export volumes surged 26.9 percent year-over-year in August to 106,818 metric tons, the highest since October 2014. U.S. beef export value totaled $566.8 million in August, a 13.8 percent increase from August 2015. U.S. beef exports to Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Mexico were significantly stronger than last August.
   Japan was the leading market for U.S. beef exports in terms of volumes and value in August, with beef exports to the nation totaling 25,307 metric tons valued at $147.9 million.
   Meanwhile, the U.S. exported 186,689 metric tons of pork valued at $512.8 million in August, year-over-year increases of 16.2 percent and 19.3 percent, respectively, thanks to significant increases in pork exports to Korea, Japan, China/Hong Kong and Mexico.
   During the month, Mexico was the leading volumes market for U.S. pork exports at 64,620 metric tons, while Japan was the leading value market at $151.2 million.
   U.S. lamb export volumes in August surged 31.1 percent from a year prior to 768 metric tons, while U.S. lamb export value ticked up 0.6 percent to $1.4 million.
   In regards to lamb exports, the USMEF said, “August exports were higher than a year ago to Mexico and the Middle East, but declined to the Caribbean and Canada.”
   As usual, Mexico was the leading market in terms of U.S. lamb export volumes and value, with lamb exports to the nation totaling 672 metric tons valued at $717,000.
   “U.S. livestock producers deserve some good news in what has been a tough year, and this upward trend in exports is very encouraging,” USMEF President and CEO said Philip Seng. “Currently U.S. beef and pork are very competitive, as the production of our key competitors – Australia and the European Union – has moderated and prices have jumped. As U.S. competitiveness continues to improve, we remain optimistic that exports will maintain positive momentum through the end of this year and into 2017.”