U.S. trade data for the first six months of 2018 indicate year-over-year growth for U.S. exports of animal proteins, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest “Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook.”

USDA economist Kim Ha reported that dairy exports on a skim-solids milk-equivalent basis led the way, increasing by nearly 20% year over year, likely due to competitive prices.

Lamb and mutton exports in the first half increased by 16%, albeit from a small base, as a result of expanded export volumes to the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Japan and the Caribbean, the report relayed.

Beef and veal exports rose 15% during the first half, supported by strong global demand, particularly from Asian markets.

Even with the trade challenges the pork industry has faced this year, Ha reported that first-half pork exports were more than 6% above a year ago, driven higher mainly by larger shipments to Mexico, South Korea, Central/South America and the Caribbean.

On the poultry and egg side, USDA reported that turkey exports to Mexico, the largest market for U.S. turkey, increased in the first half by almost 7%, even with declines in May and June. Shipments of broiler meat were 2% higher for the first half but still fell slightly short of expectations. Although major U.S. egg export markets demonstrated double-digit growth in the first half, declines in sales to other markets, including Mexico, South Korea and Jamaica, weighed down growth to 1% year over year.