US Beef Exports Highest Since 2003

“The shortage in the global meat supply, combined with record pork production in the United States and the continued weak dollar are putting U.S. beef and pork in a very advantageous position in many export markets,” said Erin Daley, manager of research and analysis for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Beef at highest level since pre-BSE

Beef (including variety meat) exports in May of 83,761 metric tons (184.6 million pounds) were the largest since December 2003, and reached 78 percent of the May 2003 export volume and 97 percent of its value at nearly $309 million. The January-May volume of 355,982 metric tons (784.8 million pounds)) is 29 percent higher and the value ($1.25 billion) is 39 percent higher than the same period last year.

For January-May 2008, U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports to Mexico were up 17 percent in volume to 163,271 metric tons (359.9 million pounds) and 18 percent in value to $552.7 million, up 18 percent.

Other key U.S. beef export markets January-May included:

• Canada climbed 52 percent to 63,189 metric tons (139.3 million pounds) and 54 percent in value to $289.2 million.
  
• Middle East imports of U.S. beef (including variety meat) were down 7 percent, but the region was still the third-largest market by volume — 36,362 metric tons (80.2 million pounds) — and the value rose 31 percent to $55.2 million.
  
• Japan was up 58 percent to 24,193 metric tons (53.3 million pounds) and 53 percent in value to $125.2 million.

Further Reading

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You can view the full US beef export statistics by clicking here.

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