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Pork exports robust in 2023, USMEF says

The U.S. Meat Export Federation says exports have been significant for the pork industry in 2023.

USMEF’s Joe Schuele says pork is outpacing year-ago levels due to market diversification. “We are up about 10% in volume from a year ago and even more in value,” he said. “It might not be quite a record year for pork exports, but it will be very close.”

He tells Brownfield beef exports are down from last year’s record performance. “Part of that is because of supply. Our beef production is down probably 5% or 6% as we kind of go into the herd rebuilding mode. We’ve been in a period of drought induced liquidation for a while and we’re feeling the effects of that.”

Schuele says beef posted strong year-over-year gains in the month of July to Taiwan and Mexico, and shipments were also higher to Canada, Hong Kong, Africa, Peru and Honduras.