March exports of U.S. pork were the largest since May 2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF.
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While below last year’s high volume, March beef exports were the largest since October.
March pork exports totaled 260,195 metric tons (mt), up 17% year-over-year and the ninth largest volume on record.
Export value was also ninth largest at $724 million, up 18% from a year ago.
These results capped a strong first quarter for U.S. pork as exports reached 716,691 mt, up 14% from a year ago, valued at $1.96 billion (up 15%).
Beef exports totaled 120,495 mt in March, down 5% from a year ago.
Export value fell 17% to $892.6 million, but both volume and value were the highest in five months.
Through the first quarter, beef exports were down 8% year-over-year to 326,494 mt, valued at $2.35 billion (down 22%).
March was another terrific month for pork exports to Mexico, which remain well above last year’s record pace.
March exports totaled 95,030 mt, up 15% from a year ago and the second largest on record (behind January 2023), while value climbed 31% to $195.7 million.
First quarter shipments to Mexico were up 11% to 270,056 mt, while value soared 34% to $541.7 million.
Brazilian pork gained access to Mexico late last year, and small volumes have arrived in the market.
Brazil reported shipments to Mexico of 27 mt in February and 189 mt in March.
March pork exports to the Dominican Republic totaled 13,181 mt, up 87% from a year ago and shattering the previous record (10,681 mt) set in February.
Export value to the DR also reached a record $33.6 million, up 88%.
With a rapid rebound in tourism, strong retail demand, a significant tariff advantage over other major suppliers and domestic production still limited due to African swine fever (ASF), first quarter exports to the DR climbed 72% from last year’s record pace to 32,047 mt, while export value was up 87% to $85.1 million.
Exports also trended higher to the Bahamas, Leeward-Windward Islands, Netherlands Antilles and Cayman Islands and rebounded to Trinidad and Tobago, pushing first quarter shipments to the Caribbean up 63% to 36,598 mt, valued at $101.5 million (up 72%).
With reduced import tariffs and domestic production still struggling to recover from ASF, demand for U.S. pork is strengthening in the Philippines.
March exports were the largest since August at 5,077 mt, up 65% from a year ago, valued at $9.6 million (up 42%).
First quarter exports to the Philippines totaled 11,769 mt, up 49%, while export value climbed 43% to $28.9 million.
For the ASEAN region, first quarter exports increased 49% in volume (13,960 mt) and 40% in value ($35.2 million).
Exports to Malaysia are on a record pace at 556 mt, up from just 73 mt a year ago, including record-large shipments of 467 mt in March as Malaysian production is also impacted by ASF and high input costs.
Mexico continued to be a bright spot for U.S. beef exports in March, with shipments up 17% from a year ago to 17,454 mt, valued at $97.3 million (up 26%).
This pushed first quarter exports to 50,509 mt, up 16% from a year ago, while value increased 17% to $283.6 million.
One factor bolstering Mexico’s beef demand in 2023 is the strength of the peso, which has given Mexican customers greater purchasing power compared to buyers in several other key markets.
Mexico is the largest volume destination for U.S. beef variety meat, with first quarter exports increasing 13% from a year ago to 25,533 mt, valued at $72.6 million (up 20%).
Top variety meat export items to Mexico include livers, tripe, lips, hearts and tongues.
First quarter shipments of beef lips were the highest since 2017 at 7,202 mt, up 38% from a year ago, valued at $16.6 million (up 35%).
Although March beef shipments to South Korea were down slightly from a year ago, export volume was the largest in 10 months at 25,605 mt.
Export value was down significantly from the enormous total posted in March 2022, but was still the highest since August at $200.5 million.
For the first quarter, exports to Korea trailed last year’s record pace by 15% in volume (63,883 mt) and 36% in value ($505.3 million).
March beef exports to China/Hong Kong were also below last year but were the largest since October at 21,211 mt.
March export value was $188.5 million, down 9% from a year ago but also the highest since October.
First quarter exports to China/Hong Kong were down 11% from a year ago to 55,122 mt, while value fell 18% to $477.2 million.
March exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 218 mt, down 5% from a year ago, but export value still climbed 11% higher to $1.4 million.
First quarter exports increased 35% to 664 mt, valued at $3.7 million (up 23%).
First quarter lamb exports to Mexico were the largest since 2017, while exports also increased to the Netherlands Antilles, the Bahamas, Guatemala and Taiwan. ■