July pork exports outpace year-ago levels; beef exports take a step back

Building on a robust first-half performance, July exports of U.S. pork continued to outpace year-ago levels, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January, but export value per head of fed slaughter again exceeded $400.

July pork exports totaled 219,014 metric tons, up 5% year-over-year, while export value increased 1% to $628.7 million. Exports to leading market Mexico continued on a record pace, while July shipments also increased significantly year-over-year to Central America, Taiwan, Oceania, the ASEAN region and Canada.