WASHINGTON – For the first time in 2022, US pork export values and volume topped the totals from the previous year in August, according to data compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) from the US Department of Agriculture.

For pork exports in August, volume increased slightly from a year ago to 226,293 tonnes as export value reached $659.6 million, up 4% compared to the same month last year. This was the largest month for pork exports since November 2021. 

Through eight months, pork export volume fell 15% below the 2021 pace at 1.72 million tonnes. Export value stood at $4.9 billion, down 13% from a year ago.

“We speak often about the importance of developing a wide range of markets for US red meat, and the August export results are a great illustration of that,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF. “Exports face significant headwinds in some key destinations, with weakened currencies topping the list. But the emphasis on broad-based growth really pays dividends in these situations, allowing the overall export picture to remain very positive. I also cannot say enough about the loyalty of our international customers, many of whom have diminished purchasing power but continue to show a strong preference for US red meat.” 

Total beef exports for August came in at 133,832 tonnes, up 1% compared to 2021 and the second largest volume on record, only behind May 2022.  

Monthly beef export value was $1.04 billion, slightly below the record total achieved in August 2021, the first time monthly exports topped $1 billion.

For the China/Hong Kong market, specifically through August, exports topped 193,511 tonnes, a 25% increase from the previous year. Export value is also just more than $1.77 billion, which is up 38%. 

The first eight months of beef exports reached 1.004 tonnes, a 5% increase from last year. Export value also increased by more than $8.23 billion, up 24%, from 2021. 

For August, Mexican pork exports remained strong at 81,178 tonnes, up slightly from 2021. Exports were valued at $195 million, which is up 20%.

Pork exports to Japan in August were at 27,000 tonnes, down 18% from a year ago. Value also fell to $107.4 million, down 25%. 

Lamb exports for January-August increased 65% to 1,407 tonnes, which put the value up 68% to $8.54 million.