March 17, 2009
US records strong January beef exports
US beef muscle cut exports in January jumped 13 percent to 43,949 tonnes and up 15 percent in value to US$186.5 million compared to the year-ago period.
The results defied the predictions of analysts, who expected US beef exports to suffer from sluggish consumer spending, volatile currencies and ongoing economic uncertainty.
Total beef and variety meat exports grew 4 percent in value to US$233 million, while volume remained level with January 2008 at 66,457 tonnes.
Mexico and Canada remained the top two destinations for US beef in January, combining to represent 56 percent of the value and 54 percent of the volume worldwide. South Korea, which reopened its market to US beef in the second half of 2008, was the third-largest market in January.
