US beef, pork exports see year-over-year gains

USA – US exports of beef and pork showed increases in October, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture, compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). 

Pork exports are expected to break both volume and value records in 2024.

Beef exports rose by 1% in October compared to the previous year, totaling 105,269 tonnes, while the export value grew by 3% to US$860.4 million.

 Mexico remained a key market for US beef, continuing its strong demand throughout 2024. 

Exports to South Korea and China/Hong Kong saw a rebound, and shipments to Central America, the Caribbean, and ASEAN countries also increased.

Dan Halstrom, USMEF’s president and CEO, expressed optimism about the performance in China and Korea, where economic challenges have been significant. 

He highlighted the positive trends in the Western Hemisphere and noted that growth in the ASEAN region further strengthened US beef exports. 

“If the momentum in Asia continues, it could set the stage for further growth in 2025,” Halstrom said.

Pork exports also performed well in October, climbing 3% from last year to 252,411 tonnes, with the export value rising 3% to US$710.4 million. 

While exports to Mexico showed a slight decline, gains in Japan, Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania, and the ASEAN region helped offset this drop. 

USMEF now projects that pork exports will surpass 3 million tonnes in 2024, exceeding the previous volume record of 2.98 million tonnes set in 2020 and the value record of US$8.16 billion set last year.

Halstrom noted that although shipments to Mexico decreased, the total export value of US$217 million remains significant. 

He emphasized the importance of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which provides duty-free access for US pork, and stressed the need for continued market diversification.

US lamb exports also saw a 2% rise in October, totaling 185 tonnes, although the value dropped by 8% to slightly above US$1 million. 

Exports to the Caribbean, particularly the Bahamas, were strong, but shipments to Mexico and Canada were lower.

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