United States meat exports for October were mixed with pork strong and beef under year ago levels. U.S. Meat Export Federation figures show U.S. pork exports 8.5-percent over last year for volume with value also climbing 10-percent to $592 million. USMEF Chair Cevin Jones says some of that is tied to strong demand from China due to the impact of African Swine Fever.
He says they are excited about exports for the new year with the U.S. Japan trade deal going into effect January 1. At that time the tariff on U.S. beef going into Japan will drop to 26-percent and be at par with Australia.
October beef exports were down 8-percent from last year’s large volume, while export value was down 11-percent at $649 million. Jones says beef exports have faced challenges including a higher U.S. dollar.
January through October pork exports by volume were 5-percent ahead of last year’s pace, while value increased 3-percent to $5.5 billion. Beef exports were down 2.5-percent by volume and value from last year’s record pace, at $6.75 million. \
