August Beef Exports Soar to New Heights

U.S. beef exports set new records in August with export value topping $750 million for the first time.  August beef exports totaled 119,800 metric tons, up 7% from a year ago, valued at $751.7 million, and up 11% year-over-year.  U.S. Meat Export Federation president and CEO Dan Halstrom.

“The exciting thing about it is it’s really an amalgamation of a lot of different markets performing really well.  You have a market like Korea that’s up 39% and a lot of other markets, Japan, Taiwan, the ASEAN region as a whole all up significantly.  And I think we’re going to see this continue as we go forward later this year.”

For January through August, beef exports totaled 899,300 metric tons, up 9% percent from a year ago, while value climbed 18% to $5.51 billion.  Halstrom added beef producers should also be encouraged by the United States and Japan entering in formal bilateral trade talks.

“This is much needed.  We’re at a significant disadvantage on duties, visa vie Australia who has a free trade agreement with Japan and currently enjoys a 12% duty over the U.S. and that number only increases with time.”

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com