US pork exports break records in 2024, beef value rises despite lower volume

USA – US pork exports have reached new highs in both volume and value in 2024, surpassing previous records, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture and the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). 

Beef exports have also seen an increase in value, despite a slight decline in overall shipments, while lamb exports have grown in both categories.

In December, US pork exports totaled 267,132 tonnes, which was slightly lower than the same period in 2023, but the value rose by 1% to US$771.8 million. 

By the end of the year, total pork exports reached 3.03 million tonnes, a 4% increase from 2023, exceeding the previous record of 2.98 million tonnes set in 2020. 

The total export value grew by 6%, reaching US$8.63 billion.

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom attributed the growth to expanded market reach, particularly in the Western Hemisphere and Asia-Pacific. 

While exports to Mexico set a record for the fourth year in a row, demand also grew in Central America, Colombia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and several Caribbean nations. 

South Korea, Australia, and the Dominican Republic saw record-high values for US pork exports.

Beef exports for December stood at 110,171 tonnes, reflecting a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year, with value climbing 4% to US$897.6 million. 

For the entire year, beef exports fell by 0.5% to 1.29 million tonnes, though total value grew by 5%, reaching US$10.45 billion.

Halstrom noted that despite economic difficulties in key Asian markets earlier in the year and challenges in supply, beef exports performed better than anticipated. 

Demand for US beef grew in regions outside Asia, including Mexico, which recorded double-digit growth in imports.

The average export value per head of fed cattle reached US$415, as higher international pricing kept US beef at a premium. 

A strong US dollar also led to increased prices in local markets, contributing to overall growth in export value.

US beef exports hit record levels in volume and value in emerging markets, including the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and several Caribbean nations. 

The Bahamas, Bermuda, Qatar, Jordan, and Bahrain also posted record-high values for US beef.

Lamb exports saw a 16% rise in volume year-over-year, reaching 2,723 tonnes, while total value grew 14% to US$14.3 million. 

However, muscle cut exports declined slightly, totaling 2,003 tonnes valued at US$11.8 million.

Mexico and the Caribbean remained the largest markets for US lamb muscle cuts, with the Caribbean increasing imports by 14% to 976 tonnes, valued at US$7.1 million. 

Shipments to Mexico, which saw a 21% increase to 759 tonnes, were the highest since 2019, with shoulder and flap meat gaining popularity in the country’s food service industry. 

Mexico’s total import value for US lamb reached US$2.4 million, reflecting a 20% rise from the previous year.

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