July Beef and Pork Export Volumes Higher Year-over-Year; Value Results Mixed

U.S. red meat exports posted solid results in July, with volumes for both U.S. beef and pork trending higher than a year ago, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. Beef export value was down from last July, but pork export value increased significantly.

July beef export volume increased 8 percent from a year ago to 99,341 metric tons (mt) – the second-largest monthly total this year – while export value was $526.7 million, down 5 percent. For January through July, export volume was up 4 percent to 640,888 mt, while value fell 10 percent to $3.44 billion.

Exports accounted for 14 percent of total beef production in July and 11 percent for muscle cuts only – each up about 1 percentage point from a year ago. For January through July, these ratios were 13 percent and 10 percent, respectively, steady with last year. Export value per head of fed slaughter was $263.89 in July, down 5 percent from a year ago, and $251.82 for January through July, down 13 percent.

Pork exports reached 180,547 mt in July, up 8 percent from a year ago, while export value increased 11 percent to $491.9 million. For January through July, pork export volume increased 3 percent to 1.29 million mt, while value was $3.27 billion – still 2 percent below last year’s pace.

Exports accounted for 27.5 percent of total pork production in July and 23 percent for muscle cuts only – an impressive jump from a year ago when these ratios were 23.5 percent and 21 percent, respectively. For the first seven months of the year, exports accounted for 25.5 percent of total pork production and 21.5 percent for muscle cuts – each up slightly from a year ago. Export value per head slaughtered was $56.14 in July – up 19 percent from a year ago. For January through July, per-head value averaged $49.37, down 2 percent.

Beef exports shine in Japan, Korea; Taiwan remains steady

Japan and South Korea continued to be top performers for U.S. beef in July, driven by strong demand for chilled beef. Exports to Japan climbed 10 percent to 23,042 mt, while value was steady with last July at $129 million. Through July, beef exports to Japan were up 12 percent from a year ago in volume (145,358 mt) and 4 percent in value ($836.2 million). Chilled beef exports to Japan were up 40 percent to 59,783 mt.

In Korea, July beef exports soared 37 percent to 16,459 mt, valued at $94.5 million (up 27 percent). For January through July, exports to Korea climbed 23 percent in volume (90,401 mt) and 7 percent in value ($531 million). Chilled beef exports to Korea were up 42 percent to 12,249 mt.

Chilled U.S. beef is also in high demand in Taiwan, where July exports held relatively steady year-over-year. Through July, exports to Taiwan totaled 20,907 mt (up 3 percent) valued at $173.2 million (down 6 percent). Chilled exports were up 13 percent to 8,320 mt and the United States holds more than 65 percent of the chilled beef market in Taiwan – the highest share of any Asian market.

Highlighting the need for more destinations for beef variety meat, exports to Egypt continued to slump in July – dropping 26 percent from a year ago in volume (6,753 mt) and 50 percent in value ($6.4 million). While Egypt remains a leading destination for beef variety meat, January-July exports to Egypt were down 3 percent from a year ago in volume (52,136 mt) and 31 percent in value ($57.3 million).

On a positive note, total U.S. beef variety meat exports increased in July, pushing January-July exports up 6 percent from a year ago to 185,722 mt, valued at $491 million (down 1 percent). Growth has been led by Japan (27,779 mt, up 29 percent), Korea (7,442 mt, up 47 percent), and a slight uptick in Mexico (63,760 mt, up 2 percent), but also the ability to ship to South Africa, where exports reached 2,386 mt. Variety meat exports also trended higher to Chile and Colombia, and to the Caribbean and ASEAN regions.

“We are pleased to see demand for U.S. beef variety meats increasing in other markets, and helping to offset the slowdown to Egypt,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “It is a top priority for USMEF and our beef industry partners to expand the reach of beef variety meat exports and build demand in alternative destinations, and those efforts are paying off.”

China/Hong Kong continues to drive pork exports; chilled pork strong in Japan

July pork exports to China/Hong Kong were the smallest since February, but volume was still up 73 percent year-over-year to 47,701 mt, while value climbed 60 percent to $94 million. For January through July, exports to the region were up 79 percent in volume (332,601 mt) and 63 percent in value ($634.5 million).

 

Pork export volume to Mexico dipped in July (54,805 mt, down 6 percent), but value climbed 15 percent to $113 million. This was the highest monthly value total of 2016, with unit values up 22 percent, reflecting a notable improvement in ham prices. For January through July, exports to Mexico were down 8 percent year-over-year in volume (379,550 mt) and 5 percent lower in value ($679.1 million)

U.S. exports of chilled pork to Japan remain on a record pace at 126,394 mt, up 12 percent through July. So although Europe is dominating Japan’s frozen pork imports for further processing into ham and bacon, U.S. exports of high-quality chilled pork have fully rebounded from the West Coast port issues of 2015 and are reaching new heights. Total U.S. exports to Japan slowed again in July to 30,479 mt (down 6 percent), putting the year-to-date total at 223,341 mt, down 12 percent. Export value to Japan was $879.5 million through July, down 10 percent.

Led by strong demand in Honduras and Guatemala, exports to Central America continue to shine in 2016. Through July, exports to the region increased 16 percent from a year ago in volume (36,536 mt) and climbed 8 percent in value ($85.7 million). Exports to the Dominican Republic were also strong in July, pushing January-July volume up 3 percent from a year ago to 15,008 mt, while value was down 3 percent to $32.1 million.

July was also a strong month for pork exports to Canada, pushing January-July totals ahead of last year’s pace in both volume (113,694 mt, up 2 percent) and value ($454.3 million, up 1 percent). Exports to Australia also remained above year-ago levels in July, pushing the year-to-date total to 39,010 mt (up 9 percent) valued at $106.5 million (down 3 percent).

“While it is encouraging to see the strong results in China/Hong Kong continue, the reality is that China’s domestic pork prices have fallen and import demand has slowed,” Seng explained. “That’s why it is so vitally important that we defend U.S. pork’s market share and further expand demand in markets around the world. The competitiveness of U.S. pork is also improving, and this should boost exports through the end of the year.”

July lamb exports show improvement

While still down from a year ago, July lamb exports were the largest since March at 682 mt. July export value was $1.5 million, up 3 percent year-over-year. July was a strong month for exports to Hong Kong and the Philippines, while Bermuda continued to trend sharply higher than a year ago. For the first seven months of 2016, lamb exports were down 9 percent in volume (5,012 mt) and 11 percent in value ($10.2 million).

Complete January-July export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb are available from USMEF’s statistics web page.

If you have questions, please contact Joe Schuele at jschuele@usmef.org or call 303-547-0030.

NOTES:

• Export statistics refer to both muscle cuts and variety meat, unless otherwise noted.
• One metric ton (mt) = 2,204.622 pounds.