U.S. Red Meat Exports Struggle to Find Traction

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. beef and pork exports opened 2021 below the large volumes posted a year ago, according to January data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports, in volume, slipped 2 percent in January (105,047 metric tons) while value fell 3 percent from the same time last year ($653 million). The decline was due mainly to lower beef variety meat shipments, as muscle cut exports were steady with last January (81,398 mt) but the value, which fell 1 percent ($584.4 million) accounted for a larger share of production than a year ago. January beef exports were very strong to South Korea, continued to gain momentum in China, and following a down year in 2020, also rebounded to the Middle East.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)