September beef exports increased 6 percent from a year ago in volume to 100,068 metric tons (mt), and soared 25 percent in value to $631.9 million. For January through September, exports were up 3 percent in volume (890,276 mt) and 15 percent in value ($5.18 billion).

“These are impressive results, especially given the headwinds we faced in September – including a very strong U.S. dollar, a significant decline in beef production and our first full month of dealing with Russia’s retaliatory import ban,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “It was just three years ago that U.S. pork and beef exports eclipsed the $5 billion mark for the first time in an entire calendar year, so it’s very gratifying to see our industry reach these mileposts by the end of the third quarter.”

Beef exports surge despite lower slaughter numbers

With herd rebuilding gaining traction in the U.S. beef industry, fed slaughter numbers have trended lower. September export value reached $313.67 per head of fed slaughter – down from the record set in August, but 26 percent higher than a year ago. For January through September, per-head export value was $283.29 – up nearly $40 from the same period last year. Exports equated to 14 percent of total beef production and 11 percent for muscle cuts only – up from 13 percent and 10 percent, respectively, last year.

Leading market Japan was the pacesetter for September beef exports, with volume climbing 36 percent from a year ago to 23,195 mt and value up 55 percent to $155.7 million. For January through September, exports to Japan were steady in volume (184,293 mt) and 7 percent higher in value ($1.17 billion).

Other January through September beef export highlights include:

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  • Exports to Hong Kong were up 26 percent in volume (106,423 mt) and 45 percent in value ($768.3 million).
  • Export volume to South Korea was up 12 percent to 84,873 mt, while value soared 41 percent to $590.5 million.
  • The summer surge in exports to Taiwan moderated in September, but the market remains on a record pace in both volume (25,445 mt, up 9 percent) and value ($215.1 million, up 16 percent).
  • Exports to Mexico totaled 178,812 mt (up 19 percent), valued at $860.8 million (up 34 percent). Though as USMEF has previously noted, data from early 2013 may have understated last year’s exports.

Complete January through September export totals for U.S. beef are available from USMEF’s statistics webpage.  end mark

—From U.S. Meat Export Federation news release