DENVER — US pork export volume in March was the highest since May 2021, according to data collected by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) from the US Department of Agriculture.

Pork export volume was up 17% from a year ago to 260,195 tonnes in March, while export value reached $724 million, up 18% compared to the same month in 2022.

Through the first quarter, total pork exports increased 14% to 716,691 tonnes and valued at $1.96 billion, up 15%. 

“It’s great to see US pork exports continue to expand in many of our Western Hemisphere markets, but there is also notable momentum in the Asia Pacific,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer for USMEF. “With consumer activity in the region rebounding toward pre-COVID levels and US pork very competitively priced compared to European product, 2023 holds excellent potential for broad-based growth.”

In March, US pork exports to Mexico were the second largest on record for volume at 95,030 tonnes up 15% from 2022. US pork exports for the month were valued at $195.7 million, which was up 31% compared to last year. 

US pork exports volume also increased to South Korea, Japan, China/Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, beef exports showed more improvement following the slow start to 2023. 

Total beef exports for the month of March were 120,495 tonnes with export volume down 5% from a year ago. The export value of beef exports for the month was $892.5 million, a decrease of 17%.

“US beef exports faced considerable headwinds late last year and at the beginning of 2023, but the March results show some encouraging trends,” Halstrom said. “Most Asian markets showed renewed momentum in March, while exports continued to trend higher to Mexico, the Caribbean and South Africa.”

March exports of US beef to Mexico were well above 2022 volume while export growth to the Caribbean was highlighted by a record month for the Dominican Republic. 

US beef exports also increased volume year-over-year to the Philippines, while beef variety meat demand strengthened in South Africa and Peru. 

March exports volume of US beef to South Korea were below last year but were the largest in 10 months.

Beef exports to China/Hong Kong rebounded and was the largest since last October. In March, exports topped 21,211 tonnes, which is below last year. Export value is also at $188.5 million down 9%. 

In March, US pork exports to Mexico cooled slightly from previous months at 95,030 tonnes up 15% from 2022. US pork exports for the month were valued at $195.7 million, which was up 31% compared to last year. 

Pork exports to Japan through February were at 33,297 tonnes, up 4%, though value was lower at $133.1 million.

February exports of US lamb muscle cuts totaled 218 tonnes, down 5%, but export value climbed 11% higher to $1.4 million.