Livestock, dairy and poultry exports during 2018 are forecasted at $30.6 billion, according to the most recent “Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. This is a $100 million increase from the February forecast.

USDA left the beef and veal forecasts virtually unchanged at $6.7 billion based on continuing robust exports to Japan, Mexico and South Korea.

The pork export figure was also unchanged at $5.5 billion. USDA said increased shipments to South Korea, Australia and Colombia are offsetting lower shipments to China and slightly lower demand from Japan and Mexico during the first half of the fiscal year. Variety meat exports, however, are projected to be $100 million lower due to slowing shipments of pork variety meats.

Hides and skins are forecasted to be $200 million lower as weaker cattle hide prices more than offset slightly higher volumes, USDA reported.

Poultry and poultry product exports remained unchanged at $5.0 billion.

The outlook revealed good news for the dairy industry as exports were raised $200 million due to the higher pace of shipments of milk powder, cheese and whey products during the second quarter of the fiscal year.

“Import demand for U.S. dairy products is strong in Mexico, China and other Asian markets, and U.S. prices are expected to be competitive in international markets,” USDA noted.