The volume of US beef and pork exports declined in August but their value increased year over year, the US Department of Agriculture reports.

August volume of beef exports decreased to 102,456 tonnes but value was 16% higher than last year's to set a new record.

The cumulative volume and value from January to August were both up year-on by 3% to 790,208 tonnes and by 13% to US$4.55 billion, respectively.

August's pork export volume was also down, by 6% year-on to 162,992 tonnes, but export value increased by 6% to $529.9 million.

The January-to-August pork export volume was higher by 6% to 1.48 million tonnes and in value by 15% to $4.53 billion.

According to US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Philip Seng, international buyers were concerned about supplies and "whether we will be able to meet the growing demand for US beef."

"But price and supply concerns notwithstanding, their enthusiasm for US beef has never been higher. We continue to see an outstanding response to our marketing campaigns and educational seminars informing buyers about the unique attributes of US beef," he added.

The US exports beef to Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico and Japan, its leading market, among other countries.

Pork export destinations include South Korea, Colombia (which has emerged as the leading market for US pork in the Central-South America region), Mexico, China/Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.