September results show pork exports up 23.6 percent in volume and 40.5 percent in value from last year while beef exports rose 27.3 percent in volume and 35.9 percent in value. Not to be left out, U.S. lamb exports soared 113 percent in volume over September of 2010 while the value of those exports jumped 83.9 percent.

“This year has presented opportunities for the U.S. red meat industry to expand exports, and the industry has worked aggressively to capitalize on those opportunities,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “The premiums that international buyers pay for U.S. beef, pork and lamb are critical to the bottom line of U.S. producers.”

For beef, September exports accounted for 14.4 percent of total beef and beef variety meat production and $212.64 in value per head of fed cattle, up from 11 percent of production and $151 in value per head last year.

U.S. beef exports hit 109,708 metric tons (27.3 increase) valued at $461 million (35.9 increase) in September. For the year, exports stand at 967,388 metric tons valued at $4 billion, increases of 26 percent and 39 percent, respectively, over the first nine months of 2010.

Beef exports were paced by Mexico, which purchased 22,054 metric tons valued at $86.8 million, up 14 percent and 37 percent, respectively, from September of 2010.

The Middle East was the second-largest volume destination in September, importing a record-large 17,624 metric tons valued at $35.6 million. Both were roughly a 59 percent jump over year-ago totals. Egypt remains the largest importer in the region, but growth is seen in both the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Exports to Canada were the smallest since March, but remain 12 percent higher in volume and 19 percent in value versus last September, reaching 14,564 metric tons valued at $78.2 million. Canada was the second-largest value and third-largest volume destination for U.S. beef for the month.

While off the pace of earlier in the year, beef exports to Japan and South Korea were up year-on-year. Japan imported 12,188 metric tons valued at $69.5 million (up 7.4 percent in volume and 18.1 percent in value) while Korean imports reached 9,027 metric tons valued at $42.2 million (up 9.5 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively).

“We are encouraged by the growing confidence level we are seeing among consumers in both Japan and Korea regarding U.S. beef,” said Seng. “In recent years, we were seeing lingering concerns related to BSE, but the ‘We Care’ campaign in Japan and the ‘To Trust’ campaign USMEF has mounted in Korea have garnered consumer support.”

USMEF is preparing to launch the latest wave of its “To Trust” beef imaging campaign in Korea to help continue the momentum in that key export market.