March Beef, Pork Exports Hit Record Highs
March beef and pork exports both surpassed previous monthly record high values. Pork exports and shipments of beef muscle cuts also set new volume records in March.
According to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, beef exports totaled 124,808 metric tons in March, up 8% from last year and the second largest in the post-BSE era. Additionally, beef export value the $800 million mark for a single month at $801.9 million, up 14% from 2020.
March pork exports were also record-large at 294,724 metric tons, up 1% from 2020, and set a new value record at $749.9 million (up 4%). Pork muscle cuts also set new monthly records for both volume (247,660 metric tons, up 2% from a year ago) and value $689.2 million (up 4%).
Beef muscle cut exports set new monthly records for both volume (98,986 metric tons, up 13% from a year ago) and value ($718.3 million, up 17%). For the first quarter, beef exports pulled even with last year's pace at 333,348 metric tons, valued at $2.12 billion. For beef muscle cuts, first quarter exports increased 4% to 262,914 metric tons, valued at $1.9 billion (up 5%).
March highlights for U.S. beef included record exports to China, Honduras and the Philippines and strong results in South Korea, Chile and Colombia.
March pork exports were led by strong performances in Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and Central America, including new records in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Exports were also record-large to the Dominican Republic for the second consecutive month.
"It's very gratifying to see such an outstanding breakout month for U.S. beef and pork exports," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "Exports were off to a respectable start in 2021, considering the logistical and labor challenges the industry is facing and ongoing restrictions on the foodservice sector in many key markets. While these obstacles are not totally behind us, the March results show the situation is improving and the export totals better reflect the strong level of global demand for U.S. red meat."
While muscle cuts certainly drove March export growth, Halstrom was also encouraged by a rebound in shipments of beef and pork variety meat.
"The tight labor situation at the plant level has been especially hard on variety meat volumes," Halstrom said. "But March variety meat exports matched last year's performance for pork and were the largest of 2021 on the beef side. It's important that the capture rate for variety meat continues to improve, as this is a critical component of the export product mix."
