WASHINGTON — US meat exports reached new records in 2022, including November pork exports, which reached new heights in both volume and value, according to data released by US Department of Agriculture and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Although November beef exports were below year-ago totals, beef export value set a full-year record of nearly $11 billion in 2022.

During November, pork exports reached 245,663 tonnes, up 3% from last year, and export value scaled 10% to $725.1 million. Both volume and value were the highest seen since May 2021.

Specifically, pork exports to Mexico and the Dominican Republic were record highs, with shipments to Mexico exceeding $200 million for the second consecutive month. Pork exports to the Dominican Republic had already set annual records in October, and demand further intensified in November. Shipments reached a record 10,229 tonnes in November, up 70% from a year ago and up notably from the previous high of 8,966 tonnes in April. 

While off to a slow start in 2022, pork exports to China/Hong Kong regained momentum in the second half of the year. During November, exports increased 39% from a year ago to 54,410 tonnes and jumped 40% in value to $140.3 million.

“I cannot say enough about the tremendous performance of the Mexican market and its importance to the US pork industry,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and chief executive officer. “US pork faces heightened competition in Mexico, especially with the recent suspension of import duties. But US industry efforts to educate the trade and consumers about the outstanding quality, consistency and value of US pork continue to pay dividends and elevate overall demand. The rebound in pork variety meat exports is also excellent news for the US industry, reflecting broad-based demand growth and an improved labor situation.”

Beef exports failed to yield the same growth as pork in November. Exports totaled 115,777 metric tonnes, down 6% from the previous year’s large volume. Export value lessened to $846.6 million, down almost 20%. However, through the first 11 months of 2022, beef export value totaled $10.9 billion, an increase of 14% year-over-year, already topping the full-year record of $10.58 billion set in 2021.

On top of setting a global value record, US beef exports also set annual value records in several individual markets. January-November exports to South Korea reached $2.51 billion, a full-year record for Korea but also for any single destination.

“Similar to the previous month, November results for US beef exports reflected severe headwinds in our large Asian markets,” Halstrom noted. “Key currencies in the region were still slumping, which impacted the buying power of importers and consumers. COVID cases and lockdowns in China were also intensifying, prompting widespread protests and the eventual lifting of many restrictions. But the US dollar mainly peaked in late October and early November and global demand has remained relatively strong.

“Even with a high level of economic uncertainty, 2022 has been a fantastic year for US beef exports and the outlook for the coming year remains positive.”

Year-to-year totals for lamb muscle cuts exports more than doubled in volume in November, reaching 247 tonnes, while export value increased 72% to $1.38 million. The growth was primarily driven by strong demand in the Caribbean but also boosted by larger shipments to Mexico and Canada.