Strong demand from China bolstered U.S. pork exports in October, while beef exports for the month were below the very high totals posted a year ago, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

October pork exports increased 8.5% year over year to 225,376 metric tons, while export value climbed 10% to $592 million. January-to-October export volume was 5% ahead of last year's pace at 2.13 million mt, while value increased 3% to $5.48 billion.

Pork export value averaged $48.13 per head slaughtered in October, up 4% from a year ago. For January through October, the per-head average was down 1% to $51.12. October exports accounted for 24% of total U.S. pork production and 20.9% for muscle cuts only, up from 23.6% and 20.7%, respectively, a year ago. January-to-October exports accounted for 26% of total pork production and 22.6% for muscle cuts, both up slightly from the year before.

October beef exports totaled 108,017 mt, an 8% decline from last year's large volume, while export value of $649.1 million was down 11%. Through the first 10 months of 2019, beef exports were down 2.5% in volume to 1.1 million mt and value fell to $6.75 billion versus last year's record pace.

Beef export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $284.56 in October, down 10% from a year ago, while the January-to-October average was down 4% to $308.04. October exports accounted for 12.9% of total U.S. beef production and 10.5% for muscle cuts only, down from 14.1% and 11.6%, respectively, last year. For January through October, exports accounted for 14.1% of total beef production and 11.5% for muscle cuts, each down about a half-percentage point from 2018, when a record percentage of production was exported.

Pork exports soar

Although still saddled by China's retaliatory duties, October pork exports to the China/Hong region reached 61,062 mt, up 150% year over year, while export value climbed 127% to $141.3 million. For January through October, exports to China/Hong Kong were up 55% in volume to 468,576 mt and up 34% in value to $974.8 million. Exports to the region already exceed the full-year totals of 2018.

"China's efforts to rebuild its domestic swine inventory, which has been hit hard by African swine fever, are gaining traction, but there are still excellent opportunities for pork-supplying countries," USMEF president and chief executive officer Dan Halstrom said. "As U.S.-China trade talks continue, we remain hopeful that access for U.S. red meat in China will return to a level playing field with our competitors."

Pork exports to Mexico fell below year-ago levels in October, with volume down 18.5% to 54,639 mt and value declining 9% to $97.3 million — the lowest since April. January-to-October exports to Mexico were down 11% from a year ago in volume to 584,415 mt and declined 9% in value to $1.02 billion.

"Increased demand in China is pulling some pork cuts and offal away from Mexico as well as other markets, but October shipments to Mexico were, nevertheless, disappointing," Halstrom said. "The U.S. industry is still feeling the effect of Mexico's retaliatory duties on pork, which were in place for about one year, and rebuilding pork demand in Mexico remains a top priority."

The outlook for pork exports to Japan in 2020 and beyond brightened significantly this past week as Japan's Parliament ratified an agreement that will bring import tariffs on U.S. pork in line with those imposed on major competitors. The tariff disadvantage was evident in October, as pork export volume to Japan was down 16% from a year ago to 29,622 mt, and value fell 17% to $122.3 million. Through October, exports to Japan trailed last year's pace by 7% in both volume, at 307,974 mt, and value, at $1.27 billion.

January-to-October highlights for U.S. pork include:

October beef exports lower in most markets

According to USMEF, tariff relief for U.S. beef is also a key component of the new trade agreement with Japan, where competitors currently enjoy a significant tariff rate advantage. The rate for U.S. beef muscle cuts is 38.5%, but that will drop by nearly one-third when the agreement enters into force, mirroring the 26.6% rate imposed on beef from Australia, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand. Another rate reduction will come April 1, when the Japanese government's fiscal year begins. October beef exports to Japan were down 21% in volume to 21,315 mt and 19% in value to $135.5 million. Through the first 10 months of the year, export volume fell 6% to 263,054 mt, while value was down 7% to $1.64 billion.

"Japan's 38.5% tariff rate is the highest U.S. beef faces in any major market," Halstrom explained. "It was a burden even when all suppliers were paying it, but now it is especially important that both U.S. beef and pork receive tariff relief. Japanese customers are very excited about the new trade agreement, and USMEF and our industry partners are ramping up 2020 promotions and strategies to reclaim red meat market share in Japan."

Beef variety meat exports to Japan — mainly tongues and skirts — have been a bright spot in 2019, increasing 21% in volume to 53,432 mt and 13% in value to $320 million, which is 40% of the worldwide total. Japan's tariff rate for U.S. beef variety meat is 12.8%, but under the new agreement, it will drop to 5.8% for skirts and 5.7% for tongues upon implementation. The rates fall to zero by 2028 for tongues and 2030 for skirts.

U.S. beef exports to South Korea slowed in October but remain on a record pace as Korea solidifies its position as the top growth market for U.S. beef in 2019. October volume dipped 3% year over year to 19,637 mt, while value declined 10% to $138.4 million. Through October, however, exports to Korea were still up 7% in both volume, at 215,194 mt, and value, at $1.55 billion.

USMEF reported that beef exports to Taiwan followed a pattern similar to Korea, slowing in October but remaining on a record pace. Through the first 10 months of the year, export volume to Taiwan was up 8% from a year ago to 52,968 mt, while value increased 3% to $470.3 million. The U.S. holds nearly 75% of Taiwan's high-value chilled beef market.

January-to-October highlights for U.S. beef include: