September was another solid month for U.S. red meat exports, with pork, beef and lamb totals well above year-ago levels,
According to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), September was a solid month for red meat exports, including pork, beef, and lamb.
The report showed that September beef export volume was down slightly from August, but 27 percent above last September, and third-quarter volume was the largest seen since the fourth quarter of 2014.
January through September export volume was 8 percent above last year’s pace, but export value was up 17 percent from a year ago after being down 5 percent from a year ago for the first three quarters of 2016.
Beef exports accounted for 13.5 percent of total beef production in September, as well as 10 percent for muscle cuts only. Export value per head of fed slaughter averaged ten percent higher year-over-year. Export value through September was down 10 percent from last year.
Pork export volume was down slightly from August, but was up 7 percent from a year ago, and export volume for January through September was 5 percent above last year’s pace. September export value was up 8 percent from a year ago, and January-September export value was up 1 percent from the same period last year.
Pork exports accounted for 24 percent of total pork production in September, as well as 20 percent for muscle cuts only, and export value per head slaughtered was up 3 percent year-over-year. January-September export value was down slightly, averaging $49.24.
“Red meat exports continued to build positive momentum in September, and it couldn’t come at a better time,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “We have large supplies of pork and beef hitting the market and moving these higher volumes is certainly a challenge. But this is also presenting expanded opportunities in the international markets, as we are able to introduce new cuts and value-added products, and recapture market share from our key competitors.”