Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 5/13/1
 
U.S. beef and pork exports accelerated in March on double-digit increases in leading markets Mexico, the China/Hong Kong region and South Korea, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

U.S. pork exports reached their highest monthly total (since October 2012, increasing 29 percent in both volume (209,704 metric tons) and value ($606.7 million) over March 2013.

Exports of U.S. beef rose 12 percent in volume to 93,380 metric tons and 17 percent in value to $516.2 million.

March exports also rose in terms of share of overall U.S. beef and pork production. Total pork exports (muscle cuts and variety meats) equated to 31.5 percent of total U.S. pork production in March, or 26 percent of muscle cuts alone versus 28 and 23.5 percent, respectively, a year ago. Beef exports accounted for 14 percent of total production and 11 percent of muscle cuts, up from 12 and 9 percent in 2013.
The export value per head slaughtered set a new record of $69.93 for pork in March, topping the $60 per head mark for the first time and up from $50.38 last year. The export value per head of fed slaughter for beef was $271.57, up from $222.20 a year ago.

"Even with high prices and supply concerns, we are working to keep the visibility of US beef and pork high in our key export markets, and they continue to respond positively," said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. "Among the many encouraging signs are the continued strength of the Mexican market in both pork and beef, and the rebound of South Korea, which has been an area of focus for USMEF as that market has been challenged over the past year by an over-supply of domestic product."

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