Pork Exports Soar, Beef Exports Expand as Well

DENVER, CO – As pork exports soared in January, U.S. beef exports were impressive as well. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), the release of the January export data comes as coronavirus is dominating news headlines, including those related to global trade. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the virus has had an impact on red meat exports, which will likely be more evident in February and March data, but a number of supply and demand fundamentals and market access improvements have underpinned continued strong export volumes. Beef exports increased 2.5 percent from a year ago in volume (107,374 metric tons) and 5 percent in value ($672.7 million). Exports of beef muscle cuts were the highest ever for the month of January (81,342 metric tons) up 4 percent from a year ago, while muscle cut value increased 5 percent ($589.2 million). Export value per head of fed slaughter was $302.93, up 3 percent from a year ago.