DENVER — US pork and lamb exports started 2024 strong, according to data released by the US Department of Agriculture and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Meanwhile, January beef exports were slightly below last year’s volume, but export value trended significantly higher.

Pork exports totaled 251,424 tonnes in January, up 6% from last year. Export value also increased by 6%, reaching $682.1 million.

January pork exports were once again led by a powerful performance in the leading market, Mexico. Exports to Mexico reached 102,181 tonnes, the second largest on record, trailing only December 2023.

US pork made gains in a wide range of Western Hemisphere and Asia-Pacific destinations as well. Specifically, momentum grew in South Korea, Central and South America, Australia and Malaysia.

“Mexico’s demand for US pork is so spectacular that it tends to overshadow other great success stories,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and chief executive officer. “It is especially gratifying to see other markets following the trail blazed by Mexico, as purchases expand beyond raw material for further processing to include center-of-the-plate cuts, including loins, which are gaining popularity at retail and foodservice.”

On the beef side, exports fell 1% from a year ago to 99,764 tonnes. However, export value climbed 9% to $763.8 million, as value trended higher year-over-year to South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and Hong Kong.

Beef variety meat exports increased 12% from last year to 23,138 tonnes, while value jumped 16% to $89 million. USMEF said the leap was led by growth in Japan, Egypt, Mexico, Korea, Peru and China/Hong Kong.

While beef liver shipments slowed to Egypt in 2023, causing US exports to the Middle East to struggle, USMEF found the past two months to show signs of a rebound.

“While USMEF expects 2024 to be another challenging year in terms of beef supply availability, the upward trend in export value is a positive sign,” Halstrom said. “The inventory has been cleared and customers in Asia are reloading on US beef. There is also more optimism in Asia’s foodservice sector, especially in Korea. Combined with the recent strength we’ve seen in the Western Hemisphere, this bodes well for beef demand in the coming year. January was also an excellent month for beef variety meat exports, which are especially important for maximizing the value of every animal.”

US lamb exports also saw a successful start to 2024, posting the highest value in more than four years. January exports totaled 303 tonnes, up 28% year-over-year and the largest since March, with value reaching $1.7 million, a 53% increase from last year.

Lamb export growth was driven by the Caribbean and Canada. Exports to Mexico also increased year-over-year in value.