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Beef exports struggled in June

A livestock economist says June was another tough month for beef exports.

University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says beef exports for the month were down 33 percent in volume and declined 32 percent in value compared to year-ago levels.  “I think COVID in these countries, as well as what was a higher US dollar for a period of time are part of the reason for that situation on the beef side,” he says.  “Japan, South Korea, Mexico were all lower

US pork exports did fall below year-ago levels for the first time this year, but Brown says they are still on pace for a record breaking 2020.  “That does put us 817-million-pounds year-to-date above year-ago levels,” he says.  “But that’s easy to explain in one single word.  That’s China.”

Pork exports were down 3 percent in volume year-over-year and export value dropped 9 percent.

The US Meat Export Federation says it anticipates beef and pork exports to regain momentum in the second half of the year as weekly export data has suggested and upward trend in demand in most markets.