November A Strong Month for U.S Red Meat Exports

November was another big month for U.S. red meat exports.  U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said figures were led by a 10% increase in pork figures.  South Korea and Mexico were the big destinations there.

Meanwhile November was also a big month for beef export, primarily pushed by shipment to traditional markets such as Japan, as well as growing markets, like China.

“It’s really a combination of things that’s making Japan hit on all cylinders.  The early feedback out of china has been fabulous.  While the volume is low the value on a per pound basis is one of the highest that we have in the world, so this is another good thing for producers.  There is an opportunity to grow this market it’ll just take time.”

China reopened to U.S. beef in June, after an absence of more than 13 years following the December 2003 BSE case.  With a strong December, U.S. beef exports will likely set a new value record in 2017, topping the previous high of $7.13 billion in 2014.

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