U.S. meat exports in Q1 rise in volume, sink in value

For U.S. meat exports during the first quarter of 2016, Japan was the leading market for beef export volumes and value, along with pork export value, while Mexico was the leading market for pork export volumes.    The United States experienced increases in beef, pork and lamb export volumes in the first quarter of 2016, compared to the same period last year, but in terms of export value, each of the three segments posted declines, 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.
   During the quarter, the U.S. exported 254,986 metric tons of beef, a 2.1 percent year-over-year increase. In terms of value, U.S. beef exports dropped 13.3 percent from the first quarter of 2015 to $1.36 billion.
   Japan was the leading market for beef exports in terms of volumes and value during the quarter, with the U.S. exporting 52,841 metric tons of beef valued at $300.4 million to the nation.
   U.S. beef exports to Korea and Taiwan were very stable, with first quarter volumes surging 25.4 percent and 19.6 percent year-over-year, respectively. On the flip side, the weak Mexican peso and Canadian dollar continue to hinder U.S. beef exports.
   Meanwhile, U.S. pork export volumes during the quarter inched up 1.6 percent from the first quarter of 2015 to 534,321 metric tons. However, U.S. pork export value for the quarter slipped 8.6 percent year-over-year to $1.3 billion.
   The U.S. exported the highest volumes of pork during the quarter to Mexico at 159,947 metric tons, while Japan was the leading value market for pork exports at $363.2 million.
   One of the most drastic changes that occurred for U.S. pork exports during the quarter, compared to the same period last year, was a surge in exports to the China/Hong Kong region, which rose 83.4 percent in volume and 53.7 percent in terms of value. However, China’s imports from all suppliers, especially the European Union, has hit a record high in recent months, raising concerns that the market could soften despite the downward trend in domestic production, the USMEF explained.
   U.S. Lamb exports during the quarter jumped 17.8 percent from the first quarter of 2015 to 2,676 metric tons. In terms of value, U.S. lamb exports fell 16.3 percent year-over-year to $4.5 million.
   Mexico was the leading market for U.S. lamb exports in terms of volumes and value during the quarter, with the U.S. exporting 2,177 metric tons of lamb valued at $2.2 million to the nation.
   “Bermuda has re-emerged as a strong destination for U.S. lamb in 2016, though total exports to the Caribbean region were lower in the first quarter,” the USMEF said. “Other emerging markets performing well this year include Singapore and the UAE.”