DENVER — US exports of beef and pork in September moved higher than the previous year, according to recent data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

September beef exports totaled 103,980 tonnes, up 5% from last year. Export value climbed by 6% to $843.8 million. January-September exports increased 5% in value to $7.82 billion, despite volume falling 2% to 960,814 tonnes. Except for China/Hong Kong, September exports in the beef category trended higher than in 2023 in all major Asian markets, and demand remained strong in Mexico along with shipments from Central America.

“The tourism rebound in Asia has certainly provided momentum for US beef, especially in Japan, Taiwan and Korea,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF. “We also saw impressive growth in the Philippines and Indonesia, which are markets where we see a lot of untapped growth potential.”

Pork exports for September went up 8% year-over-year to 238,047 tonnes with value increasing 6% to $685.1 million. Through nine months, pork exports were 5% above last year’s pace at 2.23 million tonnes, with value up 7% to $6.36 billion.

“US pork’s September performance was especially encouraging because growth was mainly driven by small and medium-sized markets in Central America, Southeast Asia and Oceania, and pork exports to Colombia continue to reach new heights,” Halstrom said. “It was certainly another robust month for pork exports to Mexico and shipments to Japan were above last year. But the broad-based growth reflects the US industry’s strong commitment to market diversification.”

Led by growth in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama and Nicaragua, September pork exports to Central America soared 36% above last year to 12,895 tonnes, valued at $41.9 million (up 42%). Exports to the region are also at a record pace in 2024, with shipments through September climbing 23% to 109,634 tonnes and a value of $344 million, up 33%.

Robust growth in the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore pushed September pork exports to the ASEAN region to 7,701 tonnes, up 83% from a year ago, while value climbed 82% to $16 million. Domestic production in the region continues to be impacted by African swine fever (ASF), driving strong demand for imports. 

US pork continues to capture some market share previously helped by European suppliers, even though EU exports to the region rebounded to some degree during 2024. In the first nine months, US exports to ASEAN increased 17% from a year ago to 61,320 tonnes, while value was up 8% to $134.2 million.

US lamb exports in September were down 32% to 167 tonnes. Export value reached $853,000, down 32%. January through September exports were 13% above last year’s pace in volume and 17% higher in value. Shipments trended higher than a year ago to the Caribbean, Mexico, the Philippines, Guatemala and Taiwan. Lamb exports to Mexico are on pace to be the largest since 2019.