U.S. meat exports soar in November

The United States experienced growth in beef, pork and lamb exports in terms of volumes and value in November 2016 compared to 12 months prior.    The United States saw strong growth in beef, pork and lamb exports in November 2016 compared to 12 months 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 155,335 metric tons of beef valued at $619.1 million in November 2016, year-over-year increases of 20 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
   Meanwhile, U.S. pork export volumes totaled 225,757 metric tons in November 2016, up 24 percent from November 2015, while U.S. pork export value stood at $586.8 million, up 30 percent from 12 months prior.
   “With recent increases in both pork and beef production, the U.S. industry faces a significant challenge in terms of moving these larger supplies,” USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said. “But with aggressive and well-targeted international marketing efforts, this also presents an outstanding opportunity to grow our market share in established export destinations and cultivate new opportunities in emerging markets.”
   In addition, the U.S. exported 811 metric tons of lamb valued at $2 million in November 2016, year-over-year increases of 1 percent and 28 percent, respectively, as exports to leading lamb export market Mexico drastically increased from 12 months prior.