BEEF AT HOME AND ABROAD

ANOTHER $1 BILLION MONTH FOR BEEF EXPORTS

from the U.S. Meat Export Federation

U.S. beef exports maintained a remarkable pace in April, topping $1 billion for the third time this year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). April pork exports were well below the large totals posted a year ago, while lamb exports continued to trend higher.

Beef exports totaled 124,408 metric tons (mt) in April, up 3 percent from a year ago and the fifth largest on record, while export value soared 33 percent to $1.05 billion – second only to the record $1.07 billion posted in March. For January through April, beef exports increased 5 percent from a year ago to 478,260 mt, valued at $4.05 billion (up 38 percent).

“Global demand for U.S. beef continues to overcome enormous obstacles, from inflationary pressure to logistical challenges to the recent lockdowns in some of China’s major metropolitan areas,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Most encouraging is that even as beef exports climb to unprecedented levels in our largest Asian markets, demand is strengthening in other regions as well, fueled by a strong rebound in the foodservice sector.”

Halstrom cautioned that April results did not capture the full impact of recent COVID-19 lockdowns in China, some of which continued through May and into early June. The pressure inflation imposes on consumers’ discretionary income and the rising strength of the U.S. dollar versus some key trading partner currencies are also growing headwinds for U.S. red meat exports.

April pork exports were 212,876 mt, down 21 percent from the large volume reported a year ago. Export value was $600.6 million, down 20 percent. Through April, pork exports fell 20% from a year ago to 842,804 mt, valued at $2.31 billion (down 18 percent).

“The sharp decline in China’s demand for imported pork continues to weigh heavily on the year-over-year results for U.S. exports, and the COVID lockdowns dampened demand even further by limiting consumer spending and slowing activity in the wholesale market and the meat processing sector,” Halstrom explained. “We do expect exports to China to regain some momentum in the fourth quarter of this year – certainly not back to the peak volumes of 2020, but improving over current levels. Meanwhile shipments to Mexico remain on a record pace and exports to Japan and several Latin American markets trended higher in April.”

Record exports to Taiwan highlight huge month for beef exports

April beef exports to Taiwan reached new heights at 7,466 mt, up 41 percent from a year ago, while value climbed 36 percent to $87.1 million. Through April, exports to Taiwan increased 45 percent from a year ago to 25,889 mt, while value soared 85 percent to $314.3 million. In just four months, export value for Taiwan was already nearly halfway to last year’s annual value record of $668 million.

Beef exports to Japan trended higher in April, increasing 5 percent from a year ago to 26,663 mt, while value climbed 29 percent to $220.6 million. This pushed January-April exports to 98,842 mt, down 2 percent from a year ago but still slightly ahead of South Korea as the largest volume destination for U.S. beef. Export value to Japan increased 24 percent to $814.8 million. This included a 47 percent jump in beef variety meat export value – consisting mostly of tongues and skirts – which reached $191.2 million.

April exports to Korea, the leading value market for U.S. beef, were down slightly from last year at 23,212 mt, but export value still increased 26 percent to $231 million. January-April export value already topped $1 billion ($1.02 billion, up 49 percent), a record pace for any single destination. Export volume is also ahead of last year’s record pace, increasing 7 percent to 98,657 mt.

Other January-April results for U.S. beef exports include:

Beef demand in China/Hong Kong continues to expand, though at a more moderate rate than in 2021. Despite COVID lockdowns having a massive effect on China’s foodservice sector, April exports still increased 11 percent from a year ago to 23,137 mt, valued at $212.7 million (up 27 percent). Through April, exports to China/ Hong Kong increased 28 percent in volume (85,374 mt) and 49 percent in value ($795.1 million).

Beef exports to the ASEAN region have strengthened in 2022 and momentum accelerated in April, with a new record volume to the Philippines (2,718 mt) and the sixth highest month on record for Indonesia (3,083 mt). Through April, exports to Indonesia increased 6 percent to 7,830 mt, while value soared 78 percent to $47.8 million. Exports to the Philippines followed a similar trend, edging 1 percent higher in volume (6,010 mt) but climbing 69 percent in value ($45.9 million). With demand also increasing in Vietnam, region-wide exports increased 8 percent to 19,373 mt, valued at $143.7 million (up 66 percent).

Fueled by variety meat demand in Egypt and larger muscle cut shipments to Kuwait, Qatar and Israel, beef exports to the Middle East continue to rebound. Through April, exports to the region increased 11 percent to 23,536 mt, valued at $101 million (up 41 percent). The foodservice sector in several Gulf Region markets has regained momentum in recent months, buoyed by increased tourism and rising oil industry revenues.

A foodservice rebound is also underway in the Caribbean, where January-April beef exports increased 42 percent to 8,945 mt and value more than doubled to $80.1 million (up 106 percent). Growth was led by record volumes to the Dominican Republic and Cayman Islands, while shipments rebounded to other main markets including Jamaica and the Bahamas.

April beef export value equated to $489.59 per head of fed slaughter, up 33 percent from a year ago and the second highest on record. The January-April average was $478.03 per head, up 39 percent. Exports accounted for 15.6 percent of total April beef production, up from 15 percent last year and the highest ratio since September 2021. The ratio for muscle cuts was 13.6 percent, up one full percentage point from a year ago. January-April exports accounted for 15 percent of total production and 12.8 percent for muscle cuts, up from 14.4 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively.

Red Meat Exports Deliver Value Back to Corn and Soybean Producers

Record-level red meat exports of $18.7 billion in 2021 had a major impact on the corn and soybean industries, according to an independent study by the Juday Group. The study quantified the returns that red meat exports brought to corn and soybean producers in 2021 nationally, and at state levels for leading cornproducing and soybean-producing states.

“The study validates the red meat industry’s collaborative approach to export market development,” says U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chair-elect Dean Meyer, who produces corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs near Rock Rapids, Iowa. “Beef and pork exports drive value directly back to my farm and this study helps confirm the return on this investment for all corn and soybean producers.”

Corn and soybean growers support the international promotion of U.S. pork, beef and lamb by investing a portion of their checkoff dollars in market development efforts conducted by USMEF.

Key findings from the Juday Group study, which utilized 2021 export data, include:

Nationally, beef and pork exports accounted for 537 million bushels of corn usage, equating to $2.94 billion (at an average corn price of $5.48/bushel).

Pork exports accounted for 99.3 million bushels of soybean usage nationwide (the equivalent of 2.36 million metric tons of soybean meal), which equated to $1.3 billion (at an average soybean price of $13.13/bushel).

Beef and pork exports accounted for 3.4 million tons of DDGS usage, equating to $716 million (at an average price of $209.92/ton).

“The industry-wide collaboration to promote value-added U.S. red meat in international markets works to the benefit of the entire red meat industry,” says Mark Legan, a hog farmer from Coatesville, Ind., who serves on the USMEF Executive Committee. “Red meat export growth results in greater demand for feed inputs and added value at every step of the supply chain. This study demonstrates the significance of global trade to the bottom line of American farmers and ranchers.”