U.S. pork and beef exports raced to a record pace in the first half of 2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
First-half pork exports topped last year?s record-large volume by 1% at 1.58 million metric tons (mt), while value increased 7% to $4.33 billion. USMEF Economist Erin Borror said that broad-based growth in several regions offset a significant decline in China?s demand for pork muscle cuts. She added that beef also remained strong despite ongoing restrictions in foodservice operations due to the U.S. beef industry?s strong presence in the retail sector.
Beef exports through June reached 700,087 mt, up 18% from the first half of 2020, valued at $4.64 billion (up 28%). When compared to 2018, the record year for U.S. beef exports, first-half results were up 6% in volume and 15% in value. Borror said this is especially noteworthy given the ongoing restrictions on foodservice operations in key markets such as South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, underscoring the importance of U.S. beef’s strong presence in the retail sector.
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