While well below the record pace established in 2022, June beef exports topped $900 million in value, pushing first-half export value to nearly $5 billion, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Beef exports totaled 115,107 metric tons (mt) in June, down 12% from a year ago and slightly below the May volume. Export value was $909.5 million, down 13% year over year but the highest since October and 4% above the value posted in May.
First-half beef exports were 10% below last year’s record pace at 669,176 mt. Export value was just under $5 billion—down 19% from a year ago but still 8% above the first half of 2021.
June beef exports to Taiwan were the largest in 14 months, while exports to Mexico continued to build momentum and shipments to Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa and the Dominican Republic posted year-over-year gains. June exports to South Korea, China and Japan were below last year’s large totals, though shipments to Japan improved notably in value from the previous month.
“It was a challenging first half for beef exports, especially when compared to the blistering pace established a year ago,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “But we are encouraged to see that exports are still accounting for a consistently high percentage of total beef production, and variety meat exports have held up very well considering the decline in U.S. slaughter. These metrics continue to illustrate the important contribution of exports in maximizing beef carcass value.”
Lamb exports trend lower
After a strong start in 2023, exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts trended sharply lower in the second quarter. June exports were just 109 mt, down 56% from a year ago, while value fell 45% to $843,000. First-half exports were down 5% in volume (1,067 mt) and 6% in value ($6.35 million). Exports trended higher to the Netherlands Antilles, the Bahamas, Guatemala and Canada, and volume increased slightly to Mexico.
A detailed summary of the January-June export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb, including market-specific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.— USMEF
