April proved to be a solid month for U.S. beef and pork exports despite COVID-19-related interruptions in production and declining purchasing power of some key trading partners, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were below last April's large totals but still topped $600 million in value. Pork exports remained well above year-ago levels but slowed from the record pace established in the first quarter.

"Considering all the challenges the U.S. red meat industry faced in April, export results were encouraging," USMEF president and chief executive officer Dan Halstrom said. "Exporters lost several days of slaughter and processing due to COVID-19, and shipments to Mexico and some other Latin American markets declined due to slumping currencies and the imposition of stay-at-home orders, but despite these significant headwinds, global demand for U.S. beef and pork remained strong."

While May export results will likely reflect similar obstacles, Halstrom noted that red meat production continues to recover, setting the stage for a strong second half of 2020.

"International customers are relieved to see U.S. production rebounding, solidifying our position as a reliable supplier," he said. "This helps address a major concern for buyers, as COVID-19 has disrupted meat production in many countries -- not just the United States. Demand remains robust for U.S. red meat, especially at retail, but USMEF is actively working with our foodservice customers across the globe to help ensure a strong recovery for the restaurant, catering and hospitality sectors. Many are adjusting to an entirely new business climate, and the U.S. industry assisting them in this process can help ensure that U.S. pork, beef and lamb will be featured on their menus."

April beef exports were down 6% from a year ago to 98,613 metric tons, with value falling 11% to $600.9 million. Still, exports achieved outstanding growth in Japan, where U.S. beef is benefiting from reduced tariffs under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, and trended higher to China following late-March implementation of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic & Trade Agreement. For January through April, beef exports totaled 433,316 mt, up 5% from a year ago, with value up 3% to $2.66 billion.

With lower April slaughter numbers, beef export value per head of fed slaughter climbed to a record $363.35, up 19% from April 2019. For the first four months of the year, per-head export value increased 5% to $326.47. April beef exports accounted for 15.9% of total production and 13.5% for beef muscle cuts, up from 13.5% and 11.1%, respectively, a year ago. Through April, exports accounted for 14.4% of total beef production and 11.9% for muscle cuts, up from 13.8% and 11.2%, respectively, last year.

While China/Hong Kong continued to be the pacesetter for U.S. pork export growth, April exports also increased significantly to Japan, Vietnam and Chile. April volume reached 264,048 mt, up 22% from a year ago but the lowest since November 2019. Export value was $682.8 million, up 28% year over year but the lowest since October 2019. Still, USMEF said pork exports through the first four months of 2020 remain on a record pace at 1.1 million mt, up 35% from a year ago, with value up 45% to $2.91 billion.

With production down significantly from the record levels achieved in March, pork export value per head slaughtered jumped to a record $72.55 in April, up 43% from a year ago. The January-to-April per-head average was $66.36, up 40%. April exports accounted for 36.2% of total pork production and 32.2% for pork muscle cuts, each up nearly 10% from a year ago. Through April, exports accounted for 32.4% of total pork production and 29.3% for muscle cuts, up from 24.9% and 21.8%, respectively, in the first four months of 2019.

U.S. beef capitalizing on market access gains in Japan

April beef exports to leading market Japan totaled 31,280 mt, up 30% from a year ago, while value was the highest since August 2018 at $196.4 million, up 25%. Through April, exports to Japan established a record pace, with volume up 16% from a year ago to 114,152 mt and value up 13% to $719.8 million.

Although beef exports to South Korea cooled in April, USMEF reported that 2020 shipments remained ahead of last year’s record pace. April exports totaled 19,411 mt, down 14% from a year ago, with value at $133.9 million, down 19%. Through April, exports to Korea were still up 6% from a year ago at 83,345 mt, with value up 4% to $598.7 million. Korea eased social distancing and stay-at-home requirements in May, which USMEF said led to a significant increase in domestic travel and foodservice demand through the country's early-May holidays.

Meanwhile, demand for U.S. beef has rebounded in Canada, after a down year in 2019. April exports were up 38% from a year ago to 10,850 mt, with value up 35% to $74.7 million. Through April, exports to Canada increased 25% in volume to 35,399 mt and rose 24% in value to $241.1 million. USMEF said Canada faced production challenges similar to the U.S., with sharply reduced slaughter volumes in April and May.

According to USMEF, other January-to April highlights for U.S. beef included:

Impressive gains for U.S. pork in Japan, China/Hong Kong

Similar to beef, U.S. pork exports to Japan are benefiting from a level competitive playing field in 2020, no longer saddled with a tariff disadvantage compared to pork from Canada and the European Union, USMEF reported. April exports to Japan totaled 39,232 mt, up 28% from a year ago, with value up 39% to $164.2 million. Through April, exports reached 142,747 mt, up 16% from a year ago, with value up 20% to $592.5 million.

“With the increase in meals eaten at home and children being out of school, U.S. chilled pork has benefited from Japanese consumers’ preference for cooking pork at home. This situation has also stimulated demand for easy-to-cook processed pork products, which include U.S. sausages as well as products using U.S. ground seasoned pork as raw material,” USMEF reported.

Japan's import data showed huge volumes from the U.S. in April, pushing January-to-April imports higher year over year in these categories: chilled pork, up 6% to 70,856 mt; ground seasoned pork, up 56% to 41,154 mt; frozen pork, up 27% to 20,557 mt, and sausages, up 14% to 3,174 mt.

April pork exports to China/Hong Kong set another new record at 116,928 mt, more than triple the year-ago volume and surpassing the previous high reached in December 2019. April export value was $268.5 million, up 284%. Through April, exports to China/Hong Kong continued on a record pace at 413,453 mt, up 223% from a year ago, while value increased 310% to $993 million. Boxed carcasses accounted for 41% of U.S. export volume for China, with bone-in hams accounting for 10%. USMEF said less labor-intensive products made up more than half of this year’s shipments to China, which is critical for processors during these challenging times. Through April, U.S. pork accounted for 19% of China’s 2020 imports, while the EU remained the dominant supplier, with a 59% market share.

Pork exports to Mexico slowed in April, but January-to-April shipments remained 2% ahead of last year’s pace at 238,108 mt, with value climbing 16% to $413.6 million. The sharp increase in value underscores the importance of duty-free access to Mexico, as most exports in early 2019 were subject to a 20% retaliatory duty, which Mexico removed in late May of last year. Weekly export data indicate that Mexico’s buying began to rebound in late May despite continued exchange rate challenges and other economic headwinds.

USMEF reported that other January-to-April highlights for U.S. pork included: