U.S. red meat exports hit a record in the first half of 2021

“The fact that exports reached a record high in the first half of the year speaks volumes about the loyalty of our international customer base,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom.

According to USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom, 2021 has presented the U.S. red MEAT industry with many significant challenges, including a very tight workforce situation, logistical hurdles that have slowed product movement, and food service restrictions in many key markets.

However, the industry ended the first half of the year on a strong EXPORT record. While volume and value are down from the huge numbers released in April and May, export values ​​continued to be the highest on record for June, with shipments in the first half of the year setting record exports for both beef and pork.

"USMEF expected strong June performance for both beef and pork exports despite major headwinds," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “2021 has presented the U.S. industry with many significant challenges. Thus, the fact that exports reached a record high in the first half of the year speaks to the loyalty of our international customer base, strong consumer demand for high-quality and nutritious US red meat, and the ability of the US industry to adapt to a challenging and rapidly changing business climate."

Beef exports in June were 112,249 tons, up 42% from a year ago, when exports were still held back by the COVID-related downturn in production. The export value was $804.4 million, up 68% from a year ago and the third-highest record after April and May of this year. Exports in the first half of the year reached 700,087 tons, up 18% from a year ago and valued at $4.64 billion (a 28% increase). Compared to 2018, a record year for U.S. beef exports, first-half results are up 6% in volume and 15% in value.

Pork exports in June reached 238,935 tons, up 15% from a year earlier, and the value of exports rose 35% to $696.8 million. Pork exports in the first half of the year exceeded the record rates of last year by 1%, amounting to 1.58 million tons, in the amount of $4.33 billion (an increase of 7%).

Japan was the top destination for June beef exports both in terms of volume (24,864 tons, +20%) and value (up 28%).

June exports accounted for 29.4% of total pork production, significantly more than a year ago. In the first half of the year, exports accounted for 31.4% of total pork production (stable compared to last year). Mexico was the largest market for pork exports in June at 70,582 tons, up 45% from a year ago, while the value of exports more than doubled to $149.4 million (up 112%). Exports to Mexico in the first half of the year increased by 22% year-on-year to 396,329 tons worth $789.5 million (a 45% increase).

U.S. mutton exports were 37% lower than last year at 1,083 tons in June, but still managed to rise slightly to $1.6 million. In the first half of the year, mutton exports increased by 25% year-on-year to 6,816 tons worth US$9.1 million (up 14%). The increase in exports was mainly driven by strong demand, as well as larger shipments of cuts to Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago and CANADA.

And this fact will be taken into account when preparing the monthly analytical report Meatinfo.ru