Slow month for US beef exports - USMEF
July beef exports down 18% year-on-year
12 September 2023
1 minute read
By: US beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January, but export value per head of fed slaughter again exceeded $400, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF.
July beef exports totalled 103,167 mt, down 18% from a year ago and the lowest in six months. Export value was $810.4 million, down 19% and the lowest since February. For January through July, beef exports trailed last year’s record pace by 11% in volume (772,343 mt) and 19% in value ($5.81 billion).
“It’s definitely a challenging environment on the beef side, due in part to limited supplies but also persistent headwinds in our key Asian markets,” said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Though it’s taking longer than anticipated, we still expect a broader foodservice rebound in Asia. And some bright spots for U.S. beef include sustained demand in Taiwan, especially for alternative beef cuts, and the continued momentum in Mexico. It’s also encouraging to see per-head export value maintaining a high level. This is an important metric for gauging the returns delivered by the international markets, even when our production is trending lower.”
