U.S. beef exports hold strong in September

Japan was the leading market for U.S. beef exports in terms of volumes and value during the month, despite its recent duty rate increase on imports of frozen U.S. beef.    U.S. beef exports increased in September from a year prior in terms of both volumes and value, while the nation’s pork export volumes modestly decreased despite a slight uptick in pork export value, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which was compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
   In addition, lamb export volumes during the month tumbled compared to September 2016, while lamb export value sharply increased.
   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 103,552 metric tons of beef valued at $616.9 million in September, an increase of 2.3 percent and 15.7 percent year-over-year, respectively.
   During the month, Japan was the top market for U.S. beef exports in terms of volumes and value, with the U.S. exporting 27,034 metric tons of beef to Japan valued at $166 million.
   U.S. beef exports to Japan increased in terms of volumes and value in September from 12 months prior, despite its recent duty rate increase (from 38.5 percent to 50 percent) on imports of frozen U.S. beef. “The 11.5 percent duty rate increase needs to be closely monitored to ascertain where market dislocation will occur,” USMEF CEO Philip Seng said.
   Meanwhile, total U.S. pork exports in September stood at 183,481 metric tons, slipping 0.2 percent year-over-year, while U.S. pork export value totaled $503.8 million, ticking up 2.6 percent.
   During the month, Mexico was the leading volumes market for U.S. pork exports at 63,771 metric tons, while Japan was the leading value market at $123.4 million.
   In terms of lamb exports, the U.S. exported 572 metric tons during the month, a 22.7 percent decline from September 2016, while lamb export value totaled $1.9 million, up 10.4 percent from last September.
   As usual, Mexico was the leading market for U.S. lamb exports in terms of volumes and value during the month, with the U.S. exporting 382 metric tons of lamb to Mexico valued at $686,000.