February exports below year-ago levels for US pork, beef

February exports of U.S. pork and beef fell below last year’s levels while lamb exports trended higher, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Pork export volume was down 9 percent from a year ago in February to 186,745 metric tons, while export value dropped 17 percent to $455.9 million—the lowest monthly value total since February 2016. For January through February, pork exports were 5 percent below last year’s pace in volume (388,580 metric tons) and 13 percent lower in value ($950 million).

Pork export value averaged $45.12 per head slaughtered in February, up slightly from January but 21 percent lower year-over-year. The January-February average was $44.93, down 16 percent. Exports accounted for 24 percent of total February pork production and 21 percent for muscle cuts only, down from 27.8 percent and 24 percent, respectively, a year ago. For January-February, the ratio of total production exported was 23.8 percent (down from 26.1 percent a year ago) and 20.6 percent for muscle cuts only (down from 22.7 percent).

February beef exports declined 6 percent year-over-year to 94,885 metric tons while value was down 3 percent to $581.6 million. January-February exports were 3 percent below last year’s record pace in volume (199,651 metric tons) but steady in value at $1.22 billion. The volume decline is mainly due to lower exports to Hong Kong and Canada, as shipments to most other major beef markets have trended higher in 2019.

Beef export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $309.39 in February, down 4 percent from a year ago, while the January-February average was down 3 percent to $296.19. February exports accounted for 12.8 percent of total beef production and 10.1 percent for muscle cuts only, down from 13.6 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively, in February 2018. For January-February these ratios were 12.5 percent and 9.9 percent, each down one-half percentage point from the first two months of 2018.

“The stiff headwinds trade disputes have created for U.S. pork exports have certainly not subsided,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “USMEF is encouraged by reports of progress toward resolution of these disputes, but in the meantime missed opportunities for export growth are mounting. On the beef side there is still much to be excited about, especially with the launch of U.S.-Japan trade agreement talks. A great deal is at stake for both U.S. beef and U.S. pork in those negotiations, as exports to Japan deliver remarkable returns for the entire U.S. supply chain and it is essential that we get back on a level playing field with our competitors.”

Pork export value to Mexico down nearly one-third; competition heightens in Japan

Retaliatory duties continue to pressure U.S. pork exports to Mexico, with volume through February down 13 percent from a year ago to 119,430 metric tons and export value dropping 32 percent to $171.3 million. The U.S. is still Mexico’s primary pork supplier but Canada, Chile and the European Union have all gained market share in 2019.

Demand for imported pork may now be on the upswing in China/Hong Kong due to African swine fever (ASF) as buyers prepare for a looming pork shortage, but China’s retaliatory duties make it difficult for the U.S. industry to capitalize. The duty rate on U.S. pork is 62 percent, compared to 12 percent for other suppliers. Through February, exports to China/Hong Kong were down 22 percent from a year ago to 54,383 metric tons, with value dropping 34 percent to $108.2 million.

In the leading value market for U.S. pork, exports are feeling the pinch from Japan’s lower duties on imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico. Through February, U.S. pork exports to Japan were down 9 percent from a year ago in volume (61,464 metric tons) and 12 percent lower in value ($248.7 million). Chilled pork exports to Japan were down 6 percent in both volume (34,685 metric tons) and value ($166 million).

January-February highlights for U.S. pork include:

Exports to South America continued to shine behind strong performances in Colombia and Peru and a surge in exports to Chile. Export volume to the region increased 44 percent from a year ago to 25,772 metric tons while value jumped 49 percent to $64.1 million.

Strong growth in both Australia and New Zealand pushed exports to Oceania 31 percent ahead of last year’s pace in volume (20,117 metric tons) and 18 percent higher in value ($53.7 million).

Despite lower exports to leading market Honduras, Central America continued to be a strong performer for U.S. pork as growth in Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala moved export volume to the region 16 percent higher year-over-year to 14,201 metric tons, while value climbed 12 percent to $32.4 million. A safeguard measure in the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement triggered April 1, raising tariff rates on U.S. pork through the end of this year, but USMEF still anticipates strong demand for U.S. pork in Panama.

Pork exports to the Dominican Republic remained on a record pace and variety meat exports to Trinidad and Tobago surged, pushing exports to the Caribbean significantly higher in both volume (9,331 metric tons, up 18 percent) and value ($22.1 million, up 16 percent).

Fueled by strong growth in the Philippines and Singapore, exports to the ASEAN region were up 29 percent year-over-year in volume (7,982 metric tons) and 21 percent higher in value ($20.4 million).

Taiwan has emerged as a strong growth market for U.S. pork, with exports climbing 85 percent in volume to 4,200 metric tons and value up 50 percent to $8.6 million. After slumping in 2016, pork exports to Taiwan have trended higher over the past two years.

High inventories and lower domestic prices caused pork demand in South Korea to pull back from last year’s record-breaking pace, but exports to Korea remained relatively strong in both volume (38,209 metric tons, down 6 percent) and value ($102.1 million, down 14 percent). Korea’s hog prices gained momentum in March and were at or above last year’s levels from mid-March to mid-April, suggesting Korea’s pork demand remains strong and the industry is preparing for ASF’s potential impact on global pork supplies.

Impressive growth for beef exports to Japan, Korea; Hong Kong trends lower

Beef exports to leading market Japan remained strong in February, pushing January-February exports 8 percent above last year’s pace in volume (47,695 metric tons) and 10 percent higher in value ($309.3 million). Frozen beef exports to Japan, primarily short plate and cuts in the clod/round category, rebounded from last year when frozen U.S. beef was still subject to Japan’s 50 percent snapback duty rate. Variety meat exports (mainly tongues and skirts) have also performed especially well in 2019, soaring 35 percent in volume (8,707 metric tons) and 29 percent in value ($58.9 million). But the competitive landscape continues to intensify in Japan, as major competitors enjoyed another decrease in import duties on April 1. The duty rate for beef cuts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Mexico dropped from 27.5 percent to 26.6 percent, while the U.S. rate remains at 38.5 percent. The duty rate for beef tongues and skirt meat from these competitors is now 5.7 percent, while the U.S. rate remains at 12.8 percent.

Following a record-shattering 2018, beef exports to Korea continue to push higher, though at a more moderate pace. January-February exports to Korea increased 7 percent in volume to 35,529 metric tons while value was up 11 percent to $261.7 million. U.S. beef continues to make strides in the Korean supermarket and foodservice sectors, driven by red-hot demand for U.S. steaks. Prepared U.S. beef products are also increasingly popular in a wide range of home meal replacement items.

Lamb exports continue to gain momentum

U.S. lamb exports continued to trend higher in February, driven by muscle cut growth to the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama and Saudi Arabia and strong variety meat demand in Mexico and Canada. February exports of U.S. lamb totaled 1,361 metric tons, up 51 percent from a year ago. Export value was $2.43 million, up 31 percent. For muscle cuts only, exports climbed 17 percent from a year ago in volume (244 metric tons) and 31 percent in value ($1.55 million).

Through February, lamb exports were 67 percent ahead of last year’s pace in volume (2,745 metric tons) and 37 percent higher in value ($4.57 million). Muscle cut exports were up 46 percent in volume (488 metric tons) and 38 percent in value ($2.72 million).