Source: MEATINGPLACE, 5/25/15

Beef and pork exports are starting to recover from the crippling effects of the West Coast port dispute after falling 10 percent by tonnage in the first three months of the year, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) officials said in a media briefing.

While export figures are still down year over year, some positive momentum began toward the end of the first quarter, they said.
“We’re starting to regain a little bit of momentum,” said Phil Seng, president of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. USMEF officials held the briefing in conjunction with the group’s board meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Beef exports by value rose 4 percent in January through March while declining 10 percent by tonnage, compared with the same period a year ago, Seng said.

Pork exports were down 14 percent by value and down 10 percent by volume, while lamb exports declined 18 percent by value and 14 percent by volume.

Competition has become more intense, Seng said. For example, 71 countries now supply beef to China today. “The world is waking up to the growth in exports,” he said.

The closure of the Russian market, worth more than $500 million for beef and pork, saw European exporters direct products to north Asia and other destinations, Seng said.

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