DENVER — US beef exports in January trended slightly higher than last year, which was fueled by in part by strong demand in Asian markets, according to data released by the US Department of Agriculture and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Meanwhile US pork exports dipped below last year’s large totals in January, even with excellent performance in Mexico and Canada.

In January, US beef exports reached 102,840 tonnes, a 3% increase year-over-year. Value saw a jump of 5% to $804.6 million. 

Growth was driven by larger beef exports to China and Canada, while exports to leading value market South Korea stayed steady in volume but rose in value. Although January shipments to South Korea were below the levels achieved in the fourth quarter of 2024, the country’s demand for US beef has held up well even amid economic uncertainty. The impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol has led to uncertainty in the nation, with the Korean won recently trading at its lowest levels versus the US dollar since 2009. Strong value increases were also achieved in other key markets, such as Taiwan, the Caribbean, Central America and the ASEAN.

Exports of beef variety meat reached the largest volume in nearly two years, led by increased shipments to Mexico, Egypt, Canada and China/Hong Kong.

“Demand for US beef came on strong in the Asian markets late last year, and that momentum largely continued in January,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF. “The performance in Korea is especially encouraging, given the country’s political turmoil and slumping currency. It is also gratifying to see exports trending higher to China, though we are concerned about access to the market moving forward, as many US beef and pork plants are awaiting word on their eligibility beyond mid-March.”

US pork exports in January totaled 243,965 tonnes, down 3% from 2024, while value eased 2% to $668 million.

Central America helped boost pork exports’ total — particularly Mexico, which posted its fourth largest record of shipments. Exports also saw year-over-year improvement to China/Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. These results were offset by sharply lower shipments to Japan, Korea and Colombia.

“US pork is coming off a record-breaking year in 2024, and we see opportunities for continued growth this year,” Halstrom said. “Our Western Hemisphere markets are obviously critical to this success, so the White House pausing tariffs on some goods imported from Mexico and Canada is certainly encouraging news. 

On March 6, President Donald Trump announced he would postpone tariffs on certain imports from Mexico and Canada until early April.

“Duty-free access to Mexico, Canada and other free trade agreement partners has definitely underpinned global demand for US red meat and delivered essential returns at every step of the supply chain,” Halstrom added. “The majority of US red meat exports are to countries with which we have trade agreements. Maintaining trust and access to these markets is critical to the continued success of the US industry.”

As for US lamb exports, volume dropped 7% in January from year-ago levels to 282 tonnes. Value took a slight dip of 1% to $1.68 million.

Despite the weaker performance year-over-year, muscle cut exports increased in both volume (255 tonnes) and value (($1.46 million), led by robust growth in Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and the Netherlands Antilles. Gains made were offset by a severe drop in shipments to Canada.