New Value Record Reached
Year-end export results confirm new value record for U.S. beef, strong year for U.S. pork.
Editor's notes: Unless otherwise indicated, export results include both muscle cuts and variety meat; one metric ton = 2,204.622 pounds (lb.).
December statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) confirm that 2010 was the best year ever for U.S. beef export value. A final total of $4.08 billion breaks the pre-BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) high from 2003 of $3.86 billion by more than 5% and exceeds the 2009 total by nearly $1 billion. Total volume was 1.067 million metric tons, an increase of 19% over 2009.
Pork export value posted the second-best year on record at $4.78 billion, falling just 2% short of the 2008 high and besting 2009 by more than 10%. Total volume was 1.918 million metric tons — an increase of 3% over the previous year.
What a difference a year makes
The global economic downturn of 2009 was particularly hard on beef exports — not only for the United States, but for all exporting countries. But despite an overall drop in global demand, U.S. beef maintained or increased its market share in most key markets and was well-positioned for a rebound in 2010.
"We knew the groundwork was in place for an excellent recovery in 2010," said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. "But even the most optimistic forecasts underestimated the degree to which our beef exports would bounce back. Increasing beef export value by almost one-third, and nearly $1 billion, is a critical achievement for the U.S. beef industry and a substantial boost for U.S. producers."
Export value equated to $153.09 per head of fed slaughter, which is up 22% from 2009 and is 12% higher than in 2003. Nearly 12% of total beef production was exported, compared to less than 10% in 2009.
Mexico was the only major destination for U.S. beef to show a decline in 2010, and even that market is showing substantial improvement. For the year, beef exports to Mexico were down 15% in volume (247,614 metric tons) and 10% percent in value ($819.1 million). For the third consecutive month, December exports to Mexico exceeded their 2009 value — jumping by more than 15% to $83.6 million.
Other 2010 market highlights for U.S. beef include:
• Exports to Canada increased 7% in volume (153,177 metric tons) and 15% in value ($733.4 million, a new record) over 2009. Canada remains the No. 2 market for U.S. beef in both volume and value.
• Japan is the third-largest market for U.S. beef, but it is gaining ground quickly in terms of value. In 2010, exports to Japan increased by 36% in both volume (124,561 metric tons) and value ($639.5 million).
• South Korea represents one of the great turnaround stories of 2010, with exports more than doubling in volume (112,759 metric tons) and climbing by 140% in value ($517.9 million).
• Exports to Russia also doubled in volume to 57,453 metric tons and nearly quadrupled in value to a record $152.4 million. The surge in value was due to a tremendous increase in muscle cut exports to Russia, which grew by more than 500%. But variety meat exports to Russia also performed well, increasing by 26% in volume and 90% in value.
• A similar scenario took place in the Middle East, where variety meat exports jumped by 19% in volume and 40% in value, but muscle cut exports rose by 87% and 113%, respectively. In total, exports to the region increased by 36% in volume (134,510 metric tons) and 77% in value ($261.2 million, a new record).
• Taiwan shattered its previous record for export value by more than 50%, reaching $216.3 million. The market has cooled substantially in January and February, however, due to market access restrictions.
• Despite a down year for Vietnam, the ASEAN region posted an export value record of $232.3 million, led by strong results in Indonesia and the Philippines.
• Exports to Hong Kong also set a value record of $158.2 million, an increase of 87% over 2009.
• In the first full-year of a duty-free quota in the European Union (EU), exports increased substantially. Through November, high-quality beef exported under the quota totaled 10,600 metric tons valued at just under $100 million.
• U.S. beef exports also set new records in the Caribbean and Central-South America regions.
Seng notes that while the 2010 results for beef and pork exports were outstanding, he still sees room for substantial growth in the coming year.
"While U.S. red meat exports are either breaking or approaching new record-high, we still see opportunities for growth — especially in well-targeted niches," he said. "Over the past year, USMEF has worked to identify opportunities for export growth in key markets, and we are beginning to see the results of those efforts in retail, foodservice and further-processing sectors across the globe."
Complete export results for all markets are available online.
Editor's notes: This article is adapted from a news release by the USMEF.