May exports of United States pork and beef were steady with last year?s strong volumes and increased year-over-year in value.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) says pork exports totaled 218,000 metric tons in May, steady with last year?s pace. Value increased one-percent to $567 million, which is the highest monthly value total since April 2018. For January through May, pork exports were still four-percent below last year in volume and down 10-percent in value to $2.57 billion. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom called the May pork exports ?very encouraging, especially the renewed momentum in Japan and China/Hong Kong.?
May beef exports were also steady yar-over-year in volume at 117,500 metric tons. Export value increased one-percent to $727.6 million, the second-highest on record, trailing only the August 2018 total of $751.7 million. For January through May, exports were three-percent below last year?s record pace in volume, but only slightly lower in value at $3.3 billion.
