US Beef Exports Show Strong Performance in June

US - US red meat exports ended the first half of 2016 on a positive note, as June export values for beef were the highest of the year.
calendar icon 15 August 2016
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June also marked the second consecutive month of solid year-over-year volume growth, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), contractor to the beef checkoff.

June beef export volume increased 2 per cent from a year ago to 218 million pounds, while export value was $545.4 million, down 5 per cent. First-half export volume was up 3 per cent to 1.2 billion pounds, while value fell 10 per cent to $2.91 billion.

Exports accounted for 13 per cent of total beef production in June. Export value per head of fed slaughter was $250 in June and $249.67 for the first half – each down 14 per cent from a year ago.

June beef exports to Japan were the largest in nearly two years at 57 million pounds, up 29 per cent from a year ago. Japan’s first-half import data also show a strong rebound in market share for US beef at 38.5 per cent.

“US beef faces a significant tariff rate disadvantage in Japan, and this gap will grow larger unless and until the Trans-Pacific Partnership is ratified,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng.

“But rather than dwell on the challenges we face in this market, the US industry needs to capitalise on its opportunities. And USMEF is doing so by educating retail and foodservice buyers about the wide range of US beef cuts that appeal to their customers. We’re pushing well beyond the forequarter cuts traditionally marketed in Japan, and consumers are responding in a very positive way.”

Strong US beef exports were also reported in Mexico, South Korea and the ASEAN region.

TheCattleSite News Desk

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