March Beef Exports Remain Solid
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Exports of U.S. beef registered a solid performance in March, led by a surge in beef exports to Vietnam, Japan and the Middle East. Foreign market development is funded in part by The Beef Checkoff Program.
Total beef exports for the month jumped by 5 percent in volume over March 2008, but declined by about 1 percent in value. This was due in large part to a 17 percent decline in variety meat export value, which offset a 4 percent increase in muscle cut value. In the first quarter, beef exports, including variety meat, increased 3 percent in volume to 448.6 million pounds and by 1 percent in value to $690.9 million. Exports accounted for 9.5 percent of beef and variety meat production in the first quarter.
Reduced first-quarter beef exports to both Mexico (down 21 percent in volume and value) and Canada (down 13 percent in volume and 20 percent in value) have placed increased pressure on other international markets in maintaining growth for U.S. beef. Some have responded remarkably well, however, including the ASEAN region, Japan and the Middle East.
Beef exports to the ASEAN region increased 68 percent in volume in the first quarter to 43.3 million pounds and doubled in value to $64 million. Vietnam led this charge, recording a 93 percent increase in volume and a jump in value of 146 percent.
March beef exports to Japan climbed 58 percent in volume and 53 percent in value over last year, leading to increases for the first quarter of 32 percent and 29 percent respectively. The additional surge in March was due in part to the availability of more cattle eligible for export to this market under the 20-month age restriction – an advantage that will continue through the summer months.
Total beef exports to the Middle East actually declined slightly in the first quarter, but muscle cut exports to the region jumped by 84 percent in volume and 41 percent in value. While these gains were somewhat offset by a decline in beef liver exports to Egypt, the surge in muscle cut exports suggests the region is developing into an attractive destination for higher-value products.
Complete March export statistics are available online.
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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
Funded by the Beef Checkoff.
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