February exports of U.S. pork and beef were higher than a year ago in both volume and value, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Pork exports totaled 205,466 metric tons (mt) in February, up 4% from last year’s large total, while export value increased 12% to $547.2 million. Through February, pork exports were 2% ahead of last year’s pace at 408,934 mt, while export value climbed 10% to $1.09 billion.

February exports accounted for 27.8% of total pork production and 24% for muscle cuts only – up from 27.6% and 22.9%, respectively, a year ago. Through February, the percentage of total pork production exported was slightly lower year over year, at 26.1%, while the percentage of muscle cuts exported edged higher to 22.7%. Export value in February averaged $56.78 per head slaughtered, up 9% from a year ago, while the value year to date was $53.70, up 5%.

February beef export volume improved 11% from a year ago to 100,593 mt, while export value increased 18% to $599.8 million. Although this was the lowest monthly value total since May 2017, it is the highest on record for the month of February. January-February volume was 206,079 mt, up 10% from the first two months of 2017, while export value was 20% above last year’s pace, at $1.22 billion.

Exports accounted for 13.6% of total beef production in February, up 1% from a year ago. USMEF said the percentage of muscle cuts exported was 10.8%, up from 10.1% last year. Through February, beef exports accounted for 13% of total production -- up from 12.4% -- and 10.4% for muscle cuts, up from 9.8%. Beef export value in February averaged $322.29 per head of fed slaughter, up 16% from a year ago, while the value year to date averaged $306.69, up 15%.

“Red meat exports are off to a strong start in 2018 and continue to deliver excellent returns for U.S. producers,” USMEF president and chief executive officer Dan Halstrom noted. “The outstanding level of export value per head slaughtered is especially encouraging at a time in which U.S. meat production is high and the trade climate is somewhat volatile. Through all the uncertainty, international customers remain very committed to U.S. pork and beef. This reinforces the importance of having experienced USMEF staff members located in key markets, working every day to maintain customer loyalty and reinforce the United States’ reputation as a reliable supplier.”

Pork exports to Mexico steady

According to USMEF, February pork exports to leading volume market Mexico were steady with last year, at 64,523 mt, while export value was slightly higher, at $117.5 million. Through February, export volume was steady with last year’s record pace at 137,520 mt, while export value increased 3% to $251 million.

In Japan, the leading value destination for U.S. pork, February volume was steady year over year at 32,418 mt, while value was up 3% to $134.7 million. Through February, export volume to Japan increased 6% from a year ago to 67,466 mt, and value climbed 10% to $281.1 million. This included a 7% increase in chilled pork exports to 36,929 mt, with value up 11% to $176.9 million.

Pork exports to South Korea climbed 33% in volume to 40,710 mt and rose 43% in value to $119 million. Most “U.S. pork products now enter the Korean market duty free under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, and high-quality, affordable U.S. pork is helping to underpin Korea’s record-breaking pork consumption,” USMEF noted, adding that it continues to help position U.S. pork in the region in new and exciting ways, including the addition of pulled pork to many restaurant menus, a selection of high-end sausages at convenience stores and a wide array of home meal replacement and snack items sold at retail and through e-commerce.

Through the first two months of 2018, other export highlights for U.S. pork include:

Chilled beef shipments to Japan, Korea and Taiwan drive export growth

USMEF reported that beef export volume to leading market Japan declined in February to 20,314 mt, down 15% year over year. USMEF said the frozen beef safeguard tariff, which was temporarily at 50%, contributed to a slowdown in frozen shipments. However, February export value to Japan was down only slightly at $133.4 million. Through February, total exports to Japan were 4% below last year’s volume pace at 44,282 mt but still increased 9% in value to $282 million. This included an 18% increase in chilled beef export volume to 22,809 mt, with value up 29% to $175 million.

USMEF reported that Japan’s safeguard tariff on imports of frozen beef from the U.S. and other suppliers that do not have a free trade agreement with Japan expired March 31, so the tariff rate for both frozen and chilled imports from the U.S. is now 38.5%. Japan’s tariffs on imports of Australian chilled and frozen beef edged slightly lower on April 1 and now stand at 29.3% and 26.9%, respectively, under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement.

Beef exports to South Korea maintained a torrid pace in February, increasing 24% from a year ago in volume to 16,193 mt and 31% in value to $112.4 million. Through February, exports to Korea climbed 18% in volume to 33,326 mt and were 32% above last year’s record value pace at $234.8 million. This included chilled beef exports of 7,231 mt, up 34% year over year, valued at $68 million, up 44%.

“U.S. beef is driving new consumption trends in Korea, where retailers and foodservice operators have intensified their focus on steak cuts and are highlighting features such as dry and wet aging. USMEF continues to educate the Korean meat trade and consumers about the quality and convenience of U.S. steaks in this increasingly protein-centric market.”

Through the first two months of 2018, other highlights for U.S. beef include: