Both US beef and pork exports grew in February, with strong expansion in muscle cuts leading the way in both, according to statistics released by the USDA and the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

 

The monthly value of total US beef exports (muscle cuts and variety meat) jumped 14.5% compared to one year ago to reach US$252.5 million, while volumes climbed 8.6% to 71,843 tonnes.

 

Pork exports for the month moved up slightly over one year ago, increasing 2.6% in value to US$377.6 million and just under 1% in volume to 159,331 tonnes.

 

"There are solid signs of progress in key markets," says Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. "And that means positive growth in profitability for US producers."

 

Pork exports in February accounted for 25% of total US pork production, equating to nearly US$44 per head, up from US$37.37 per head just last month. On the beef side, exports remained steady at 10% of production but the value edged up to US$123 per head of steer and heifer slaughter from US$119 in January.

 

Overall beef exports for the first two months of 2010 are up a solid 9% in volume to 144,439 tonnes valued at US$500.5 million – a 10% increase. Importantly, these gains are coming as the US’s top destination for beef exports, Mexico, continues to suffer from the economic downturn. In January and February, Mexico purchased 39,364 tonnes of US beef valued at US$123.9 million – a 23% drop in volume and a 31% drop in value versus the first two months of 2009.

 

Despite the fall in exports to Mexico, US beef exports increased in the first two months of 2010 because of markets like:

 

Canada – the No. 2 beef export market is up 19% in volume to 21,624 tonnes for the first two months of the year. Values are up 27% to US$92.7 million.

 

Middle East – led by Egypt, the Middle East is up 28% in volume to 15,267 tonnes valued at US$25.3 million, a 50% jump.

 

Japan – total beef exports are up 45% in volume to 11,660 tonnes valued at US$58.6 million – a 35% jump. 

 

Russia – 6,495 tonnes of beef, a 63% increase, valued at US$11.2 million, a 236% spike compared to 2009. Muscle cut exports were 1,270 tonnes, up from just 109 tonnes last year.

 

Taiwan – volumes are up 109% to 5,750 tonnes valued at US$30.8 million, a 132% jump.

 

Greater China plus Vietnam – the third-largest market for US beef muscle cuts this year, growing 36% in volume and 38% in value to 15,227 tonnes valued at US$54 million. February exports of 9,082 tonnes of muscle cuts alone set a new record, making the region the second-largest volume destination for US beef for the month. Variety meat exports to the region are negligible.