DENVER — US pork exports in 2023 set value records, which included record performances in Mexico and broad-based growth in other markets, according to data released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). 

Pork export value for 2023 was pushed to a record $8.16 billion, up 6% from 2022. Export value per head slaughtered also set an annual record of nearly $64, with more than $11 per head attributed to  variety meat exports. Export volume stood at 2.91 million tonnes, up 8% from 2022 and the third largest on record. 

Pork exports reached 268,399 tonnes in December, up nearly 10% from a year ago and the largest since May 2021. USMEF said it was the eighth largest on record. Export value increased 11% to $765.8 million also the highest since May 2021 and the third highest on record. 

US pork exports to Mexico climbed to a record 1.1 million tonnes through the year, up 14% from 2022. Export value also set a record at $2.35 billion, up 15% from a year ago. 

“2023 saw tremendous growth in global demand for US pork, and it came at a time when the US industry needed it most,” said Dan Halstrom president and chief executive officer for USMEF. “The expansion of US pork’s presence in Mexico has been remarkable but the great news certainly doesn’t end there. We are very encouraged by the robust demand we’ve seen throughout the Western Hemisphere and in a number of Asia-Pacific markets as well.” 

Pork exports set annual volume and value records in the Dominican Republic and Malaysia, as well as value records in Central America and Colombia. Exports to South Korea were the third largest on record and second highest in value, while shipments to Oceania were the largest since 2020. 

In beef exports for 2023, USMEF reported numbers below the record total seen during 2022. However, December exports were the largest since August. December export value increased 10% year-over-year.

Total beef results from 2023 showed volume at 1.29 million tonnes, a 12% decrease from the previous record in 2022. Export value also fell 15% to just under $10 billion. However, this was still the third-highest annual value for beef exports.

December beef exports totaled 108,497 tonnes, down 4% from last year, while value rose 10% to $860.8 million. 

“There is no question that 2023 was a challenging year for US beef exports, especially in our largest Asian markets where economic conditions have weighed on foodservice demand,” Halstrom said. “Of course, we were also challenged on the supply side, with less product available for export. Nevertheless, US beef achieved excellent growth in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and we are encouraged by the December uptick in demand in South Korea and China. It was also great to see such strong per-head export value in December, topping $430.” 

USMEF added that beef exports to Mexico in December pushed 2023 exports to the largest volume since 2019 and export value to $1.19 billion, the second highest on record. 

In the lamb segment, 2023 exports showed a decline of 16% to 2,355 tonnes, while value fell 15% to $12.6 million. December lamb exports increased 13% from a year ago to 186 tonnes, while export value climbed 16% to $1.1 million.