DENVER —Similar to numbers in the first half of 2023, US pork export volume continues to show positive signs compared to year-ago levels, according to data collected by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) from the US Department of Agriculture.

Pork export volume was up 5% from a year ago to 219,014 tonnes in July, while export value reached $628.7 million, up 1% compared to the same month in 2022.

USMEF said exports to Mexico continued at a record pace. At the same time, July shipments also increased significantly year-over-year to Central America, Taiwan, Oceania, the ASEAN region and Canada. 

Through the first seven months of the year, total pork exports increased 13% to 1.69 tonnes and valued at $4.67 billion, up 10%.

“Market diversification has been the top priority for the US pork industry and those efforts are certainly reflected again in these results,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF. “In July, exports trended lower to China/Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, but our Western Hemisphere markets and other destinations in the Asia-Pacific continued to shine. This is exactly the type of broad international footprint the industry needs to maintain consistent export growth.” 

Meanwhile, beef exports reflected the lowest volume numbers since January. However, the export value per head of fed slaughter again exceeded $400.

Total beef exports for July were 103,167 tonnes, with export volume down 18% from a year ago. The export value of beef exports for the month was $810.4 million, a decrease of 19% and lowest since February.

Through the first seven months of 2023, total beef exports decreased by 11% to 772,343 tonnes compared to last year’s record pace. Beef value stood at $5.81 billion, down 19%.

Mexico, Taiwan, Canada, Hong Kong and Africa showed export gains year-over-year and increased sharply to Peru and Honduras. However, July exports to the top three destinations for US beef – South Korea, Japan and China – were well below last year’s large totals.

“It’s definitely a challenging environment on the beef side, due in part to limited supplies but also persistent headwinds in our key Asian markets,” Halstrom said. “Though it’s taking longer than anticipated, we still expect a broader foodservice rebound in Asia. And some bright spots for US beef include sustained demand in Taiwan, especially for alternative beef cuts, and the continued momentum in Mexico. It’s also encouraging to see per-head export value maintaining a high level. This is an important metric for gauging the returns delivered by the international markets, even when our production is trending lower.” 

Beef exports to China were also down significantly from the 2022 record pace, with January-July shipments falling 20% to 114,967 tonnes, valued at $964.2 million (down 25%). But with a post-COVID return in business travel and tourism, exports to neighboring Hong Kong have rebounded this year, increasing 23% to 22,906 tonnes, valued at $233.8 million (up 5%). 

Pork exports to Japan through July were at 25,357 tonnes, down 12%, with value slipping 9% to $106.5 million.

April exports of US lamb muscle cuts totaled 197 tonnes, up 22%, with export value falling 2% to $928,000.