June 15, 2012

US meat exports, including beef and pork, have revealed mixed performances in the first quarter of 2012, according to a report by USDA, compiled by USMEF.

US pork exports increased in volume by 4% from January to April this year to 183,618 tonnes.

According to statistics released by the USDA, the increase of pork exports is keeping figures ahead of 2011, when the approximate value was US$2.17 billion.

The report also highlighted April 2012 as the strongest month for beef exports, despite an 8% decline in volume compared to last year, with the overall value increasing to US$469.6 million (+9%) in that month alone.

US beef exports may have been affected by a recent outbreak of BSE in California.

"BSE is still a very sensitive issue in that market. We are pleased that nearly all our trading partners took a science-based approach to the situation and imposed no changes in market access for US beef," Seng explains.

The report also shows a dramatic decrease in exports of lamb, down 31% in volume to 4,243 tonnes in the first quarter.