U.S. beef exports posted one of the best months on record in November, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). It was also another strong month for U.S. pork exports – which already set new full-year volume and value records, even with December results still to be added.
November beef exports were the largest in more than a year at 115,337 metric tons (mt), valued at $707.5 million. USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom notes in the audio clip above that beef exports to Mexico, which have been heavily impacted by COVID-19, rebounded to the largest volume since 2016. Exports to Central America were also strong, led by a record month for Guatemala.
November pork export volume was 258,801 mt, valued at $697.5 million, with Mexico also among the top-performing markets. Halstrom was also encouraged by a rebound in pork exports to South America, where shipments to Chile far exceeded last year and exports to Colombia were the largest since being impacted by COVID-19.
