July exports of U.S. pork and beef were higher than a year ago, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Export value results were mixed, with beef exports posting another near-record month, while pork export value declined, reflecting the impact of retaliatory duties imposed by Mexico and China, USMEF said.

Pork exports totaled 176,413 metric tons in July, up 1.5% from a year ago, valued at $465.3 million – down 5% year over year and the lowest monthly value since February 2016. For the first seven months of the year, pork exports remained 2% ahead of last year’s record volume at 1.45 million mt, while value was up 3% to $3.83 billion.

“It is encouraging to see pork export volume continue to grow, even in the face of considerable headwinds in some of our most critical markets, but as anticipated, the 20% duty in Mexico and 62% duty in China weigh heavily on the price these exports can command and on the returns generated for producers and for everyone in the U.S. supply chain,” USMEF president and chief executive officer Dan Halstrom said. "Buyers outside of Mexico and China have stepped up to purchase our product, which is fantastic, but they are capitalizing on a buying opportunity made possible by the higher costs of doing business in Mexico and China.”

According to USMEF, July exports accounted for 24.7% of total pork production and 21.7% for muscle cuts only, down from 25.9% and 21.3%, respectively, last year. For January through July, the percentage of total pork production exported fell from 27.5% to 27 %, but for muscle cuts, it increased from 22.8% to 23.3%. July pork export value averaged $48.49 per head slaughtered, down 11% from a year ago. Through July, per-head export value was up slightly to $54.27.

Led by another spectacular performance in South Korea and strong growth in Japan, Taiwan and Latin America, July beef exports climbed 12% in volume to 116,575 mt, valued at $722 million – up 16% from a year ago and just slightly below the May 2018 record of $722.1 million, USMEF reported. For January through July, beef exports established a record pace in both volume at 779,450 mt, up 10% year over year, and value at $4.76 billion, up 20%.

July exports accounted for 14% of total beef production and 11.8% for muscle cuts only, which USMEF said was the highest since December 2016. Each was up nearly a full percentage point from a year ago. For January through July, exports accounted for 13.5% of total beef production and 11.1% for muscle cuts – up from 12.8% and 10.1%, respectively, last year. Beef export value averaged $326.18 per head of fed slaughter in July, up 9% from a year ago. Through July, per-head export value was up 16% to $318.31.

“The worldwide momentum for U.S. beef has rarely been as strong as it is today,” Halstrom said. “To a large degree, our mainstay Asian markets are driving this growth, but emerging markets in Asia and in the Western Hemisphere are also displaying a tremendous appetite for U.S. beef and contributing significantly to the surge in export value. From high-end restaurants to convenience stores, U.S. beef is gaining new fans across the globe on a daily basis.”

Pork exports show resilience, but value suffers

The duty rate on most U.S. pork entering Mexico increased from zero to 10% in early June and from 10% to 20% in early July. USMEF said this took a toll on July exports to Mexico, especially in terms of value. July volume was 56,484 mt, down just 4% from a year ago, but pork moved south at lower prices, with value falling 25% to $92 million.

In China, the duty rate on U.S. pork and pork variety meat increased from 12% to 37% on April 1 and to 62% on July 6. Exports to the China/Hong Kong region in July totaled 22,199 mt, down 31% from a year ago, while value dropped 19% to $55.9 million. According to USMEF, pork variety meat volume to China was hit especially hard in July, dropping 49% from a year ago to 7,446 mt. For January through July, pork and pork variety exports to China/Hong Kong dropped 22% year over year in volume to 238,207 mt and 10% in value to $563 million, which USMEF said is due partly to the higher duty rates but also due to an upward trend in China’s domestic pork production.

Despite challenges, USMEF said the July export picture was much brighter in other major markets, including Japan, the leading value destination for U.S. pork. Exports to Japan totaled 31,248 mt in July, up 10% from a year ago, while value climbed 6% to $127.2 million. For January through July, exports to Japan were 1% ahead of last year’s pace in volume at 230,315 mt and 2% higher in value at $948.6 million. This included a 2% decline in chilled pork exports to 120,288 mt, although chilled pork value increased 1% to $580.4 million.

According to USMEF, other January-to-July highlights for U.S. pork include:

Beef export value reaching new heights

According to USMEF, U.S. beef exports to Japan hit a post-bovine spongiform encephalopathy volume high in July, reaching 31,883 mt, up 15% from a year ago, valued at $196.3 million, up 12%. For January through July, exports were up 7% in volume to 191,237 mt and up 12% in value to $1.21 billion. This included a 4% increase in chilled beef exports to 87,034 mt valued at $694.9 million, up 13%. U.S. beef has captured 50% of Japan’s chilled import market this year, down slightly from a year ago.

USMEF reported that beef export growth to Korea continued at a remarkable pace in July, with volume up 51% from a year ago to 23,614 mt and value soaring 66% to $169.2 million. This shattered the previous monthly value record of $154.8 million set in June 2018, USMEF said.

For January through July, exports to Korea jumped 38% to 136,897 mt, with value up 54% to $971.2 million. This included a 33% increase in chilled beef exports to 29,923 mt at a value of $289.2 million, up 45%. U.S. beef has accounted for 58% of Korea’s chilled beef imports this year and 53% of the chilled/frozen total, up from 54% and 47%, respectively, during the same period last year.

USMEF pointed out that Australia is expected to trigger its beef safeguard in the coming weeks, resulting in a temporary tariff rate increase agreed to in the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement. This could further strengthen momentum for U.S. chilled beef to Korea through the end of this year, USMEF explained.

Other January-to-July highlights for U.S. beef include: