U.S. beefs up meat exports in May

The United States increased its amount of beef, pork and lamb exports in terms of volumes and value in May compared to a year prior, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.    U.S. beef, pork and lamb exports all increased in terms of volumes and value in May compared to a year prior, 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 105,321 metric tons of beef valued at $582.6 million in May, year-over-year increases of 6 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
   Japan was the leading market for U.S. beef exports in terms of volumes and value during the month, with beef exports to the nation totaling 25,340 metric tons valued at $160.8 million.
   Meanwhile, the U.S. exported 222,015 metric tons of pork valued at $583.2 million in May, year-over-year increases of 11 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
   During the month, Mexico was the leading volumes market for U.S. pork exports at 68,763 metric tons, while Japan was the leading value market at $145.5 million.
   “2017 is shaping up as a very solid year for U.S. pork and beef exports, but we remain in an extremely competitive situation in each of our key markets,” USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said.
   The U.S. also exported 634 metric tons of lamb valued at $1.62 million in May, year-over-year increases of 14 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
   As usual, Mexico was the leading market for U.S. lamb exports in terms of volumes and value during the month, with lamb exports to the nation totaling 534 metric tons valued at $817,000.