September beef export volume was 101,224 metric tons (mt) – down slightly from August, but 27 percent above last September. Third-quarter volume was 307,383 mt, the largest since the fourth quarter of 2014. For January through September, export volume was 8 percent above last year’s pace at 848,930 mt. September export value was up 17 percent from a year ago to $533.3 million. For the first three quarters of 2016, export value was $4.54 billion, down 5 percent from a year ago.

Beef exports accounted for 13.5 percent of total beef production in September and 10 percent for muscle cuts only. January-September ratios were also 13.5 percent and 10 percent, up slightly from a year ago. Export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $256.98 in September, the first year-over-year increase (up 10 percent) of 2016. Through September, export value averaged $253 per head, down 10 percent from last year.

“Red meat exports continued to build positive momentum in September, and it couldn’t come at a better time,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “We have large supplies of pork and beef hitting the market, and moving these higher volumes is certainly a challenge. But this is also presenting expanded opportunities in the international markets, as we are able to introduce new cuts and value-added products, and recapture market share from our key competitors.”

Seng noted that while the upward trend in export volume is encouraging, it is also critical that exports contribute to carcass value and deliver returns for the entire supply chain. For example, chilled beef exports to Asia are performing exceptionally well this year.

September beef exports reach new milestones in Japan, Korea

September beef exports were led by tremendous year-over-year growth in Japan (22,882 mt, up 49 percent year-over-year) and South Korea (14,840 mt, up 75 percent). Export value in these markets also surged, up 32 percent in Japan ($132.1 million) and 83 percent in Korea ($86.6 million). Japan’s imports of U.S. chilled beef surpassed chilled imports from Australia for the first time ever in September, and based on preliminary October data, Korea’s total beef imports from the U.S. also topped Australian beef.

For January through September, U.S. beef exports to Japan were up 20 percent in volume to 193,457 mt and increased 11 percent in value to $1.12 billion. Exports to Korea were up 33 percent in volume (122,695 mt) and reached $715.5 million in value – up 17 percent from a year ago and on pace to exceed the 2014 full-year record of $847.4 million.

Other January-September highlights for U.S. beef exports include:

• Strong September results pushed exports to Taiwan 12 percent ahead of last year’s pace in volume (30,064 mt) and up 2 percent in value ($245.6 million). The U.S. holds two-thirds of the chilled beef market in Taiwan, the highest share of any Asian market.
• Despite a persistently weak peso, beef exports to Mexico were up 8 percent from a year ago to 174,667 mt, including a 10 percent increase in muscle cuts (90,724 mt). Export value to Mexico has trended lower this year, down 9 percent for total exports ($732.5 million) and 10 percent for muscle cuts ($538 million).
• While January-September exports to Hong Kong were lower in both volume (74,945 mt, down 5 percent) and value ($452.5 million, down 20 percent), September was the second consecutive month of solid year-over-year growth. September exports totaled 9,715 mt (up 19 percent) valued at $59.5 million (up 17 percent).
• Fueled by strong growth in Indonesia and Vietnam, exports to the ASEAN region increased 18 percent to 17,797 mt, though value fell 5 percent to $97.4 million. Exports to Indonesia are well-positioned for a strong finish in 2016 following the recent easing of import restrictions in an effort to address the tight beef supply situation.

Complete January-September export results for U.S. beef are available from USMEF’s statistics webpage. Monthly charts for U.S. pork and beef exports are also available.  

—From U.S. Meat Export Federation news release