September 14, 2007

US red meat export values up in July    

US red meat exports posted higher values through the first seven months of this year compared to the same period last year, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

US beef and beef variety exports globally climbed 27 percent in value to US$1.42 billion and 16 percent in volume to 425,394 tonnes. US pork and pork variety exports were up 5 percent valued at US$1.7 billion, but volume declined 5 percent to 704,138 tonnes.

Mexico remained the leading market for US beef and beef variety exports with a volume of 202,500 tonnes valued at US$670.8 million. US pork and pork varieties declined some 27 percent to 154,410 tonnes and value was down 22 percent to US$248.2 million.

Canada was the second-biggest market for US beef and beef variety exports, with volume increasing 31 percent to 69,716 tonnes and value rising 33 percent to US$315.6 million. A 12-percent increase in slaughter cattle imports and a 17-percent increase in feeder cattle imports were also noted, according to USMEF.