During the month, Mexico was the leading market for U.S. pork and lamb exports in terms of volumes and value, while Japan was the top market for U.S. beef exports, according to data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation for the USDA.
U.S. beef, pork and lamb exports all increased in terms of volumes and value in June compared to 12 months prior, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which was compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Beef exports refer to beef and beef variety meat; pork exports refer to pork and pork variety meat; and lamb exports refer to lamb, mutton and lamb variety meat.
During the month, the U.S. exported 109,554 metric tons of beef valued at $602.5 million, up 10.8 percent and 10.5 percent year-over-year, respectively. Japan was the leading market for U.S. beef exports in terms of volumes and value during the month, with beef exports to the nation totaling 27,521 metric tons valued at $174.4 million.
Meanwhile, the U.S. exported 200,229 metric tons of pork valued at $527.1 million in June, up 6.5 percent and 4.3 percent year-over-year, respectively. During the month, Mexico was the top market for U.S. pork exports in terms of volumes and value, with pork exports to the nation standing at 64,712 metric tons valued at $124.9 million.
U.S. lamb export volumes totaled 642 metric tons in June, valued at $1.7 million, skyrocketing 40.5 percent and 58.4 percent year-over-year, respectively. As usual, Mexico was the leading market for U.S. lamb exports in terms of volumes and value during the month, with lamb exports to the nation totaling 481 metric tons valued at $771,000.
USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said in a statement the recently announced contract extension between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and their terminal operator employers represented by the Pacific Maritime Association was music to the U.S. meat industry’s ears. Last Friday, the ILWU revealed that its members approved a three-year labor contract extension covering 29 U.S. West Coast ports, meaning the agreement now runs through June 30, 2022.
“USMEF is pleased that ILWU and PMA pursued this early contract extension, which is a positive development for U.S. exporters and for the entire U.S. economy,” said Seng. “The severe congestion we saw in the West Coast ports in 2014 and 2015 created major logistical problems for U.S. red meat exporters and prompted some international customers to seek alternative suppliers. The contract extension helps ensure that the United States will continue to live up to its reputation as a reliable red meat supplier. It is very good news for everyone in the supply chain – from farmers and ranchers to processors and traders – and for our customers in key Asian and Latin American markets.”
