WASHINGTON – US pork and beef exports were higher in October than in September, but were down from the same month a year ago, according to data from the US Dept. of Agriculture and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Pork exports were down 3 percent year over year in volume to 177,191 metric tons (mt), and fell 21 percent in value to $447.8 million, reflecting lower global pork prices. Through the first 10 months of 2015, exports were down 4 percent in volume (1.76 million mt) and were 17 percent lower in value ($4.65 billion).


Pork muscle cut exports improved significantly year over year in October as they did the previous two months, increasing 8 percent to 141,923 mt. But the total results were again held back by weak variety meat exports, which fell 31 percent to 35,268 mt.

October beef exports rebounded from their low September totals, but were still down 14 percent from a year ago in volume (94,524 mt) and fell 26 percent (to $508.2 million) compared to the record-high value posted in October 2014 ($687.1 million). Through the first 10 months of 2015, beef exports were down 12 percent in volume to 877,229 mt and were 10 percent lower in value at $5.28 billion.